In a striking display of solidarity, former U.S. presidential candidate Nikki Haley inscribed the words “FINISH THEM” on an Israeli artillery shell during a recent visit to Israel. The moment was captured in a photograph shared by Danny Danon, a member of the Israeli parliament and former ambassador to the United Nations, who accompanied Haley on her tour.
Haley, who served as the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. under Donald Trump, was seen bending down to write on the shell with a purple marker. Danon proudly posted the image on social media, captioning it with, “‘Finish Them!’ This is what my friend, Ambassador Nikki Haley, wrote.”
The inscription immediately sparked controversy. Human rights advocates criticized Haley for what they perceived as an endorsement of aggressive military actions. Kenneth Roth, former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, was particularly vocal, stating, “Nikki Haley shows who she is. As Israeli bombardment has killed far more Palestinian civilians than combatants, she signs a bomb, ‘Finish them.’ Why not just sign, ‘I favor Israeli war crimes?’”
Haley’s visit came on the heels of a tragic incident where an Israeli airstrike on a Palestinian refugee camp in Rafah killed at least 45 civilians, including children. Israel’s military claimed the target was a Hamas compound and acknowledged the incident as a “tragic mistake,” prompting an investigation. The international community, including French President Emmanuel Macron, has condemned the strike, calling for an end to operations in Rafah due to the lack of safe areas for Palestinian civilians.
This controversial act by Haley underscores her unwavering support for Israel. During her visit, she emphasized America’s duty to support
Israel unequivocally. "What America needs to understand is, if Israel’s fighting our enemies, how can we not help them?" she told reporters. "America needs to do whatever Israel needs and stop telling them how to fight this war."
Haley’s rhetoric reflects a broader debate within U.S. politics about the extent and nature of support for Israel, particularly in the context of its ongoing conflict with Hamas. Her stance is clear: withholding weapons or criticizing Israel through international courts like the ICC or ICJ only hinders Israel’s ability to defend itself.
This incident also highlights the continuing fallout from the devastating attack on October 7 last year, when Palestinian militants from Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds of hostages. In response, Israel’s retaliatory measures have led to the deaths of over 35,000 people in Gaza, according to local estimates.
Haley, who ended her presidential bid in March after trailing behind Donald Trump in the Republican primary, reaffirmed her loyalty to the former president, stating she would support him in the upcoming election. Despite their past political rivalry, her recent actions and statements align closely with Trump's hardline stance on Israel.
As the conflict rages on, Haley’s message and actions resonate with a significant segment of the American political landscape that advocates for unconditional support for Israel. Her “FINISH THEM” inscription serves as a bold, if controversial, symbol of her commitment to this cause.