DeSantis Would Ban Gaza Refugees From U.S. Amid Israel-Hamas War

FLORIDA — Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke out Saturday against welcoming Palestinian refugees into the United States should they flee the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war.

DeSantis, campaigning for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in the early caucus state of Iowa, told supporters if he were president, he would not allow such an action.

"As president, the number of people I will bring in from Gaza is zero," DeSantis said in a brief clip posted to his Facebook page. "We're not going to do that."

NBC News reported DeSantis made his comments in Des Moines, affirming his stance that the refugees "are all antisemitic" — sentiments not like those of his fellow Republicans.

The Associated Press reported at least a million people have fled from their Gaza homes since the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

More than 4,000 people have died since the start of the war, making it "the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides," the Associated Press reported.

"(DeSantis) dismissed international entreaties for Israel to provide clean running water and utilities to the 2.3 million civilians in the territory," the Associated Press wrote.

Not all Republicans agree with DeSantis' belief. NBC News reported while South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott did not say the U.S. should not welcome refugees, he did note the U.S. should practice "regional responsibility" in supporting refugees.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson argued other countries, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, should increase their responsibility and accept Gaza natives. Hutchinson added in the NBC News report that DeSantis' remark about Gaza and antisemitism is dangerous.

“I will challenge anyone to say that in some of these countries that virulent antisemitism is not the norm,” DeSantis reportedly said in response to Hutchinson's comment, adding that “if you’re not willing to acknowledge that, then you’ve got your head in the sand.”

CNN reported Monday U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. will always support Israel during what Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called "a long war."

The Associated Press, CNN and NBC News contributed to this report.