“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday he’s arranged to send drones, weapons, and ammunition to Israel as it prepares for an incursion of Gaza in response to Hamas’ attack,” the Associated Press reports.

DeSantis War Room shared the AP report.

Per AP:

Florida has sent cargo planes with healthcare supplies, drones, body armor, and helmets, said Jeremy Redfern, a spokesman for the governor’s office. The state also worked with private groups to supply weapons and ammunition at the request of Israel’s consul general in Miami, Redfern said.

Redfern would not disclose the type or amount of ammunition and weaponry, referring questions to the consul general, who could not immediately be reached for comment.

DeSantis has often applied his official powers to take actions that coincide with his larger political goals. Florida used state funds to fly migrants from Texas to Democratic-led areas such as Martha’s Vineyard. And earlier this week, his administration ordered state universities to disband chapters of a pro-Palestinian student group. Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, Florida has also run flights for about 700 Americans evacuated from Israel.

The confirmation of the military aid comes as DeSantis and other GOP presidential contenders are expected to attend the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual gathering of donors, which kicks off Friday in Las Vegas. DeSantis is scheduled to speak Saturday morning to a Nevada Republican group at a casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

Many social media users wanted further explanation for a foreign nation receiving military aid from an American governor’s administration.

“Need some further explanation. Why is the state of Florida sending weapons to a foreign nation? Did Israel pay us for this? This is Florida taxpayer money, not Ron’s money, not DOD money. I’m confused by this,” Josh Power wrote.

“That surplus should be spent in Florida, no where else. Not a fan of this move, Ron,” X user Buksterlin commented.

“Wow! He’s getting practice in early to send American $$$$ to other nations. JUST like the RINOs in Congress,” another X user commented.

Additional comments below:

Several things the DeSantis administration must clear up with Florida taxpayers, the men and women who he’s supposed to serve.

This post sums up the questions:

1. Who Paid for all the things stuffed into the plane?

2. Who paid for the plane?

3. Did they export actual “weapons” or just supplies?

The only hint I see of any clarity is “worked with private groups at the request of Israel’s general consul”

Hoping Team DeSantis can provide some clarity to this Americans dealing with record inflation at home shouldn’t be sacrificing for a war in another country.

“Two cargo planes with 85 pallets of donated supplies have also arrived in Israel,” DeSantis announced Wednesday.

Who funded the “donated supplies?”

That’s the question Florida taxpayers surely would want to know.

The Times of Israel also reported on the supplies:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a candidate in the 2024 Republican primary in the United States, said Thursday that he had arranged to send drones, weapons and ammunition to Israel as it prepares for a ground incursion in Gaza in response to Hamas’s brutal October 7 onslaught.

It was the latest official response DeSantis has taken to back Israel. Florida has sent cargo planes with healthcare supplies, drones, body armor and helmets, said Jeremy Redfern, a spokesman for the governor’s office. The US state also worked with private groups to supply weapons and ammunition at the request of Israel’s consul general in Miami, Redfern said.

“It’s unclear whether DeSantis coordinated shipments of weapons with the Biden administration. The Commerce Department regulates the shipment abroad of many types of US weapons and technology,” the outlet noted.

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