"The president is a tool": Sen. Joni Ernst condemns President Biden for restrictions on some weapons for Israel.

Sen. Joni Ernst on Thursday condemned President Biden for putting restrictions on some weapons for Israel.

“The president is a tool, folks. He is a tool. Okay? In this case, he's a propaganda tool. But Hamas is using him, and he is allowing it, and he is turning his back on Israel,” Ernst said at a news conference with several fellow GOP senators.

The Iowa Republican attacked Biden for his announcement Wednesday that the U.S. would halt some shipments of offensive weapons to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah. The president also acknowledged that some American weapons have been used to kill civilians in Gaza. The U.S. also confirmed Tuesday that it paused the shipment of thousands of weapons to Israel last week, including 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, amid concerns about Rafah. The U.S. is reportedly also reviewing other planned transfers.

“Our message today should be to remember, Mr. President, Hamas created the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Hamas knew exactly what would happen when they attacked on October 7th. They knew that Israel would respond, and that they would strive for victory and the destruction of Hamas,” Ernst said.