Trump's rivals pledge to back Israel amid swipes at third Republican debate

Donald Trump's rivals for the Republican presidential nomination talked tough about the Israel-Hamas conflict at Wednesday's debate, pledging unconditional support for Israel and attacking Democratic President Joe Biden's handling of the crisis.

Asked what message they would send to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, "I will be telling Bibi, 'Finish the job once and for all with these butchers Hamas, they're terrorists,'" using Netanyahu's nickname.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who has staked much of her candidacy on her foreign policy credentials, faulted Biden for pressing Israel to consider humanitarian pauses.

"The last thing we need to do is to tell Israel what to do," she said. "The only thing we should be doing is supporting them and eliminating Hamas."