Nikki Haley Criticized for Writing 'Finish Them' on Israeli Shell

Nikki Haley, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations known for her hawkish foreign policy stance, has recently come under intense scrutiny for a provocative act during her visit to Israel. 

During a visit to sites near the northern border with Lebanon, Haley was photographed writing "Finish Them" on an Israeli artillery shell. 

This act, captured and shared on social media, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from various quarters.

The photograph, shared by Danny Danon, a member of the Israeli parliament and former ambassador to the United Nations, shows Haley kneeling with a purple marker, inscribing the controversial message on the shell. 

Danon’s post, which read, "'Finish Them'. This is what my friend the former ambassador Nikki Haley wrote," quickly went viral, drawing widespread condemnation.

The response on social media has been swift and severe. Critics have lambasted Haley for what they perceive as a callous and inflammatory gesture, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. 

A user on X (formerly Twitter) expressed their outrage by saying, "I support DEPORTING NIKKI HALEY to her ancestral homeland of India." 

Another user condemned her with, "Shame on her existence she is evil!" Others highlighted the potential consequences of her actions, noting that the missiles could be used to kill innocent civilians, with one user stating, "These missiles will be ultimately used to kill innocent civilians and children. This is terrorism."

Haley's message comes at a time of heightened tension and violence in the region. 

The Gaza conflict, which escalated after a brutal Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties. 

According to Israeli officials, the attack killed 1,189 people, mostly civilians, and militants took 252 hostages, with 121 still held in Gaza, including 37 reported dead by the Israeli army. 

In retaliation, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 36,096 people in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry.

The controversy surrounding Haley’s message has potential implications for her political future. 

After ending her presidential bid in March following a series of defeats in the Republican primary contests to Donald Trump, Haley recently expressed her intention to support Trump in the upcoming election. 

Despite Trump ruling her out as a vice-presidential candidate, she remains a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race.

In the wake of the backlash, the White House has maintained its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. 

President Joe Biden’s administration has stated there are no plans to change the U.S. policy on Israel, even after the deadly weekend strike on Rafah. 

However, the administration emphasized that it is not ignoring the suffering of Palestinian civilians, highlighting the complex and sensitive nature of U.S. foreign policy in the region.

Nikki Haley’s inscription on the Israeli shell has sparked a significant controversy, highlighting the deep divisions and intense emotions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. 

As public figures navigate the fraught landscape of international relations, their actions and words carry significant weight, with potential repercussions that extend far beyond immediate political calculations. 

Haley's message, "Finish Them," has not only stirred outrage but also underscored the ongoing human cost of the conflict and the urgent need for a path to peace.