Summary of "Israel's 9/11—and How the Biden Administration Provided Billions of Dollars that Funded It"

Podcast: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Host: Ben Ferguson
Guest: Senator Ted Cruz
Release Date: October 9, 2023

Introduction

In this gripping episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson engages in a deeply critical conversation with Senator Ted Cruz about the recent tragic Hamas attack on Israel, likened by many to "Israel's 9/11." The discussion centers on the severity of the attack, the Biden administration's alleged role in funding Iran and, by extension, Hamas and Hezbollah, and the perceived failure of the U.S. government to adequately support Israel during this crisis.

Initial Reactions to the Hamas Attack

[00:01 – 02:35]

Ben Ferguson opens the discussion by highlighting the unprecedented nature of the Hamas attack on Israel, emphasizing the severity and the loss of American lives involved.

• Ben Ferguson (00:01):
  "Americans are dead. That's been confirmed by the White House... we're going to dive into all that."

• Senator Ted Cruz (00:36):
  "Israel is facing the greatest hostilities in over 50 years. Hamas terrorists are targeting civilians... This is war that is grotesque and evil and it is terrorist."

Senator Cruz describes the brutality of the attacks, including mass killings, kidnappings, and violence against civilians, underscoring that these actions transcend traditional warfare and qualify as terrorism.

Biden Administration’s Funding of Iran and Its Implications

[02:35 – 06:47]

Senator Cruz sharply criticizes the Biden administration, asserting that its financial policies have directly contributed to empowering Iranian proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah.

• Senator Ted Cruz (02:35):
  "This was paid for by Joe Biden and the Democrats... Hamas and Hezbollah are Iranian Proxies. The Biden administration is responsible for $50 billion flowing to Iran."

He references a Wall Street Journal report claiming that Iranian officials planned and approved the Hamas assault. Cruz accuses the administration of enabling terrorism through substantial financial support, including:

• $6 billion in ransom money for Americans held by Iran, equating it to setting a bounty on American lives.
• $10 billion from Iraq flowing into Iran.
• $50 billion over two and a half years, facilitating Iran’s economic power, thereby indirectly funding terrorist activities.

Cruz emphasizes that these funds have flouted U.S. sanctions and undermined economic pressure on Iran, resulting in the current turmoil.

Government Response and Lack of Support for Israel

[06:47 – 14:27]

The conversation shifts to the inadequate and, at times, contradictory response from the Biden administration regarding the crisis.

• Senator Ted Cruz (07:02):
  "The Biden administration immediately began flooding money into the Gaza Strip... they knew it would fund Hamas."

Cruz criticizes the State Department’s initial response, which called for restraint and refraining from retaliatory actions, arguing that this stance effectively undermines Israel’s right to defend itself.

• Senator Ted Cruz (09:57):
  "Israel has a right to defend itself, and these terrorists are vicious monsters. This is barbarism against civilization."

He highlights the deletion of a State Department tweet that urged all sides to refrain from violence, portraying it as indicative of the administration’s flawed approach.

Media Portrayal and Public Perception

[14:27 – 27:04]

Cruz and Ferguson discuss the role of the media in shaping public perception, arguing that mainstream outlets often justify Hamas’s actions and minimize their terrorist nature.

• Senator Ted Cruz (14:27):
  "The State Department's reaction is exactly backwards... It's indicative of their mindset."

They assert that media outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and BBC are biased, portraying Hamas in a more sympathetic light and undermining public support for Israel.

• Unnamed Media Commentator (22:18):
  "Life is pretty hellish for the people in Gaza... They cannot, you know, Israel maintains border controls that are essentially a stranglehold."

Cruz vehemently disagrees with such portrayals, emphasizing Hamas’s deliberate use of human shields and the Israeli Defense Forces’ efforts to minimize civilian casualties.

Bipartisan Efforts and Support for Israel’s Defense Systems

[27:04 – 40:57]

Senator Cruz highlights his bipartisan efforts to support Israel, including a 2014 Senate resolution condemning Hamas’s use of human shields, which passed unanimously.

• Senator Ted Cruz (27:04):
  "Why can't Joe Biden say something like that? Why is it impossible for the President of the United States... to unequivocally condemn terrorist monsters and to stand with Israel?"

He praises Israel’s defensive measures, such as the Iron Dome, and contrasts them with Hamas’s offensive and terroristic tactics.

• Senator Ted Cruz (34:04):
  "What's the White House done for Israel? It's not blue and white."

Cruz underscores the administration's lack of support compared to robust backing for Ukraine, suggesting a double standard in U.S. foreign policy.

Call to Action and Conclusion

[40:57 – 42:27]

The episode concludes with a powerful plea for listeners to recognize the Biden administration’s failures and to support Israel more effectively.

• Senator Ted Cruz (40:57):
  "What has the White House done for any Americans that are being harmed right now in Israel?"

Cruz calls for an immediate and unified stance in support of Israel, denouncing the administration’s policies as detrimental and enabling of terrorism.

• Ben Ferguson (42:27):
  "Please share this Verdict Podcast wherever you are on social media... We will keep you updated on this all week long."

Key Quotes

• Senator Ted Cruz (00:36):
  "This is war that is grotesque and evil and it is terrorist."

• Senator Ted Cruz (05:03):
  "The Biden administration is responsible for $50 billion flowing to Iran... that money can be used to fund rockets and then to fund terrorists to capture more Americans."

• Senator Ted Cruz (09:57):
  "Israel has a right to defend itself, and these terrorists are vicious monsters. This is barbarism against civilization."

• Senator Ted Cruz (14:27):
  "It is indicative of their mindset... we have to assume these Israeli hostages are now being used as human shields."

• Senator Ted Cruz (27:04):
  "Why can't Joe Biden say something like that? Why is it impossible for the President of the United States... to unequivocally condemn terrorist monsters and to stand with Israel?"

• Senator Ted Cruz (37:35):
  "How many Democrats are condemning this viciously anti-Semitic, anti-Israel statement... It gets worse and worse every day."

Conclusions

The episode passionately argues that the Biden administration's financial policies have inadvertently empowered Iranian-backed terrorist organizations, leading to devastating attacks on Israel. Sen. Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson call for a reassessment of U.S. foreign policy to better support Israel, condemn terrorism unequivocally, and ensure that American lives are protected from hostile foreign entities. The discussion emphasizes the need for bipartisan support and immediate action to address and rectify the administration's current approach, which they argue undermines national and allied security.

Final Call to Action:

Listeners are encouraged to stay informed, share the podcast to raise awareness, and advocate for policies that robustly support Israel and counteract the funding of terrorism.