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Claim:

A photograph authentically shows former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence signing an Israeli army artillery shell in January 2024.

Israeli outlet Ynet appears to be the only source of the photograph. We are looking for independent confirmation about the photograph's origins and context.

The protracted, often bloody Israeli-Palestinian conflict exploded into a hot war on Oct. 7, 2023, when the militant Palestinian group Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel and Israel retaliated by bombarding the Gaza Strip. More than 20,000 people, the vast majority of them Palestinians, were reportedly killed during the first two months of the war alone. The violence is driven by mutual hostilities and territorial ambitions dating back more than a century. The internet has become an unofficial front in that war and is rife with misinformation, which Snopes is dedicated to countering with facts and context. You can help. Read the latest fact checks. Submit questionable claims. Become a Snopes Member to support our work. We welcome your participation and feedback.

In January 2024, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence visited Israel in a show of support after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas fighters. A photograph of Pence soon went viral, showing him apparently signing Israeli army artillery shells with a pen.

One post claimed he was signing bombs intended for Gaza. An article said he signed the weaponry with his own name.

The above photograph was posted by Ynet, an Israeli news organization that reported on Pences Jan. 5, 2024, visit to Israels border with Lebanon. Ynet appears to be the only source of the photograph and we are looking for independent confirmation of its authenticity. As such, we have rated this story as a "Research in Progress."

The article is in Hebrew and according to Google Translate, Pence was following a custom of signing artillery shells and wrote "For Israel. Pence was also on the northern border with Lebanon, so the weapons on display were presumably intended to be used against Lebanon, according to The New Arab. Photographs in the same Ynet report showed Pence walking alongside Israeli soldiers and officers. The report stated he ate lunch with them.

The unfurled link to the article also revealed a closeup of the artillery shells with Pence's supposed note and signature:

Pence described his visit in a post on X, writing: Traveled to Israels Northern Command today to meet with military leaders and joined @IDF soldiers stationed near Israels border with Lebanon.

The weapons shown in the photograph according to Ynet were shells of the artillery forces. Shells are a form of ammunition.

Maya Lecker, an editor at Israeli news outlet, Haaretz, criticized Pences signing of the weapons in an opinion piece. She described how many Israelis had begun the practice of signing mortar shells or missiles with poems or dedications to their loved ones before launching them into Gaza or Lebanon, calling the action morbid and revengeful.

She wrote:

To some of us watching, especially from afar, this seems counterintuitive, even grotesque: Why would someone who has just lost a friend or family member in an awful terror attack want to take part in hurting another person? In continuing the circle of violence? For others, it all makes perfect sense: People find comfort in the symbolic act that makes them feel like they are part of fighting back. And anyway, are missiles with a few squiggles made in black marker deadlier than others? Aren't the missiles themselves the problem?

But what ordinary people with little control over any aspect of their lives should be forgiven for, powerful heads of state and decision makers shouldn't be. When Israeli President Isaac Herzog signed a mortar shell in a photo op with IDF soldiers on the border last month, he was saying like Haaretz journalist Netta Ahituv pointed out that "revenge" is an official goal of the war.

And when former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence a representative of a country that has the power to use military and financial support to Israel to change the course of the war signed a mortar while on a visit to the Lebanese border last week, he was sending a message of gleeful killing and uncritical thinking.

Since fighting broke out between Hamas and Israel in October 2023, armed groups in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, have engaged in an exchange of fire with Israel. Thousands of people along the Lebanon and Israel border were displaced as a result.

In sum, we were unable to independently confirm what exactly Pence wrote on the shell or find an additional media source for the above photograph. Until we know more, we rate this story as a "Research in Progress."

Israeli Minister Gantz Says Situation on Lebanon Border Demands Change. Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/27/israeli-minister-gantz-says-situation-on-lebanon-border-demands-change. Accessed 8 Jan. 2024.

Lecker, Maya. Mike Pence Shouldnt Have Signed His Name on an Israeli Bomb. Haaretz, Jan. 7, 2024. Haaretz, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/haaretz-today/2024-01-07/ty-article/.highlight/mike-pence-shouldnt-have-signed-his-name-on-an-israeli-bomb/0000018c-e4a6-d765-ab9d-f4ffc84e0000.Accessed 8 Jan. 2024.

"Mike Pence Visits Sderot, Israel." Associated Press, http://www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bunw130cWeE. Accessed 8 Jan. 2024.

"Shell | Types, Calibers, Uses." Britannica, Jan. 7, 2024, https://www.britannica.com/technology/shell-ammunition.Accessed 8 Jan. 2024.

US Mike Pence signs Weapons for Lebanon Strikes in Israel. The New Arab, Jan. 6, 2024, https://www.newarab.com/news/us-mike-pence-signs-weapons-lebanon-strikes-israel.Accessed 8 Jan. 2024.

", . : , ." Ynet, Jan. 5, 2024. http://www.ynet.co.il, https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/s1pviobua.Accessed 8 Jan. 2024.

See the original post:
Real Photograph of Mike Pence Signing an Artillery Shell in Israel? - Snopes.com

U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, R-Columbus, announced Tuesday he's joining three of Indiana's seven Republican congressmen in opting not to seek reelection this year to the U.S. House.

The older brother of Mike Pence, the former vice president and Indiana governor, said three terms in Congress representing Hoosiers living in central and eastern Indiana is enough for him.

Pence's decision to leave Washington after completing his current term comes one day after U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Evansville, decided not to run for an 8th term representing southwestern Indiana.

In addition, U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Noblesville, has declined to run for reelection in her north suburban Indianapolis district, and U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City, is giving up his Fort Wayne-area House seat to compete for the state's GOP U.S. Senate nomination.

It's possible at least one more Republican Hoosier congressmen may still opt out of a reelection bid at some point prior to Indiana's Feb. 9 candidate filing deadline.

Meanwhile, Northwest Indiana U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, has confirmed he's running for a third term serving Lake, Porter and northwest LaPorte counties in the House.

Republican candidate Mike Pence, left, hugs his mother Nancy Pence following his victory speech in Anderson, Ind., Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, right, talks about the flooding in Indiana to Rep. Mike Sodrel, R-Ind, left, Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., and Fred Armstrong, Mayor of Columbus, during a stop in Columbus, Ind., Wednesay, Jan. 12, 2005. A wave of thunderstorms moved across Indiana overnight, causing some scattered flash flooding in north-central Indiana on Wednesday as already saturated ground could not handle the additional rain.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., who together proposed a bill concerning illegal immigrants, take part in a news conference in San Antonio, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006. Hutchison and Pence toured the Customs and Border Protection Air Operations Center in San Antonio during their visit. Their proposal would require illegal immigrants to cross the border and apply through privately run "Ellis Island" centers to return to the United States on work visas.

US Republican Senator from Arizona and a presidential hopeful John McCain speaks during a press conference at the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Sunday, April 1, 2007. A Republican congressional delegation led by Sen. John McCain on Sunday blasted Democratic efforts to impose a deadline for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and McCain charged that the American people were not getting a "full picture" of progress in the security crackdown in the capital. In the back are Republicans Mike Pence from Indiana and Rick Renzi from Arizona.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., center, speaks during a news conference on Iran , Friday, June 19, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Joining him, from left are, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., House Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Va., Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Rep.Darrell Issa, R-Calif.

From left, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Va., and Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., listen as President Barack Obama speaks to Republican lawmakers at the GOP House Issues Conference in Baltimore, Friday, Jan. 29, 2010.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., right, accompanied by fellow House Republicans, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010. From left are, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, R-Ohio, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., House Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Va., and Rep. John Kline, R-Minn.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., answers questions as he meets with constituents during a town hall meeting in Pendleton, Ind., Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. Pence announced Thursday that he will not seek the presidency in 2012.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., as he kicks off his campaign for the Republican nomination for Governor of Indiana during an gathering of supporters in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, June 11, 2011. Pence promised to fight health care reform and federal climate change legislation.

The three candidates for Indiana governor, Republican Mike Pence, right, Democrat John Gregg, center, and Libertarian Rupert Boneham participate in a debate in Fort Wayne, Ind., Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012.

Indiana Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence speaks to supporters with his family at his side at an Indiana Republican Party on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Indianapolis. Pence defeated Democrat John Gregg and Libertarian Rupert Boneham.

In this Dec. 6, 2012 photo, Indiana Republican Gov.-elect Mike Pence talks with Sandy Sabinas at a breakfast meeting at a South Bend, Ind., restaurant.

Mike Pence, right, waves as he leaves the stage with his wife Karen after he was sworn in as Indiana's 50th governor during a ceremony at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, Monday, Jan. 14, 2013.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence talks about Indianapolis' bid for the NFL football's 2018 Super Bowl during an announcement in front of the downtown skyline in Indianapolis, Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. The city hosted the 2012 Super Bowl.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence looks over a storm damaged home in Kokomo, Ind., Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. Dozens of tornadoes and intense thunderstorms swept across the U.S. Midwest on Sunday, unleashing powerful winds that flattened entire neighborhoods, flipped over cars and uprooted trees.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, second from left, South Carolina Gov. Nikki R. Haley, second from right, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, far right, listens as Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, far left, speaks during a press conference at the Republican Governors Association's quarterly meeting on Wednesday May 21, 2014 in New York.

President Barack Obama talks with, from left, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, after arriving at Evansville Regional Airport in Evansville, Ind., Friday, Oct. 3, 2014. Obama was to deliver remarks at an event at Millennium Steel Service to discuss the economy as part of Manufacturing Day. US employers added 248,000 jobs in September, a burst of hiring that helped drive down the unemployment rate to 5.9 percent, the lowest since July 2008.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, left, talks about recent Republican party gains and the road ahead for their party during a press conference at the Republican governors' conference in Boca Raton, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. The organization's annual conference began Wednesday in a luxury oceanside resort where the nation's Republican governors are celebrating their party's recent success in the midterm elections while privately jockeying for position as the 2016 presidential contest looms.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence announces a 1 billion boost in state highway funding over four years at the Indiana Department of Transportation Traffic Management Center in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence speaks after a meeting with Indianapolis Archbishop Joseph Tobin at the Statehouse Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, in Indianapolis, a day after the archdiocese said it has the means to resettle a Syrian refugee family bound for the state. Pence blocked state agencies from distributing federal money for Syrian refugees following the deadly Paris attacks.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence speaks during the Indiana Republican Party Spring Dinner Thursday, April 21, 2016, in Indianapolis.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, right, and Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., walk towards supporters after Trump arrived via helicopter in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., gestures as the audience applauds after he spoke during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Republican presidential Candidate Donald Trump gives his running mate, Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana a kiss as they shake hands after Pence's acceptance speech during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Vice President Mike Pence, with his wife Karen Pence, speaks at the Veterans Inaugural Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, left, and Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso pose for a photo at the end of their joint press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Pence said the U.S. would work with Japan, China and other nations to get Pyongyang to give up its atomic weapons program. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, left, listens as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement in the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, Pool)

President Donald Trump gestures as delivers his first State of the Union address in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol to a joint session of Congress Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018 in Washington, as Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan applaud. (Win McNamee/Pool via AP)

FILE - Vice President Mike Pence stands to officiate with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as a joint session of the House and Senate convenes to count the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2021, file photo, Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, top, watch as former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen walk down the steps of the Capitol during the inauguration of President Joe Biden in Washington. Pence is steadily re-entering public life as he eyes a potential run for the White House in 2024. He's writing op-eds, delivering speeches, preparing trips to early voting states and launching an advocacy group likely to focus on promoting the accomplishments of the Trump administration. (David Tulis/Pool Photo via AP)

FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2021, file phot, former Vice President Mike Pence speaks after arriving back in his hometown of Columbus, Ind., as his wife Karen watches. Pence is steadily re-entering public life as he eyes a potential run for the White House in 2024. He's writing op-eds, delivering speeches, preparing trips to early voting states and launching an advocacy group likely to focus on promoting the accomplishments of the Trump administration. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

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Read the original:
Greg Pence hangs it up after six years in Congress - The Times of Northwest Indiana

U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind. District 6, announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the statement posted on X, Pence said, I ran for Congress because I was Ready to Serve Again. As a former Marine Officer, I approached the job with purpose. After three terms, Ive made the decision to not file for reelection.

According to Pences website, the Congressman was elected into the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2019, where he served three terms for Indianas 6th District. Pence, a former Marine and businessman, currently serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including the Subcommittee on Energy and Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. In addition to Pences committee appointments, Pences website states the Congressman serves as a part of the GOP leaderships WHIP Team, which seeks to align political party members around a shared agenda and voting method.

The 67-year-old Congressman, who is the older brother of former Vice President Mike Pence, first ran in 2017 for the eastern Indiana congressional seat.

Pences announcement that he wont seek a fourth term comes after U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Ind. District 8 announced Monday that he would be retiring following the 2024 session.

In his statement, Pence said he and his team will continue to focus on delivering outstanding constituent services for the rest of his term.

To the voters in Indianas 6th District it is a privilege and honor to represent you in our Nations capital, Pence said in the statement.

View post:
U.S. Rep. Greg Pence announces he won't seek reelection - The Daily News

Note: This story has been updated

Columbus Congressman Greg Pence is announcing that he will not file for reelection.

The Republican Pence, brother to former Vice President Mike Pence, was first elected to Indianas Sixth Congressional District in 2018. The former VP held the same seat in Congress for 12 years before running for governor.

Congressman Pence, a former Marine, said that he approached the job with purpose and felt he was ready to serve again, when he decided to run in 2017.

As a Marine, Pence served in Beiruit, Lebanon just before the attack on the Marine barracks in 1983 killed 241 service members including 220 Marines. In his first year in office, he championed the OORAH Act which sought to get restitution from Iran for the families of Marines killed in the attack. He has also introdued resolutions in Congress on the anniversaries of the attack, honoring those killed.

Pence said that after three terms, he has decided not to seek re-election but will spend the remainder of his term, focused on delivering constituent services.

He said: To the voters in Indianas 6th District it is a privilege and honor to represent you in our Nations capital.

View post:
Pence decides not to file again for Congress - 101.5 WKKG - 101.5 WKKG

Republican presidential candidate Mike Pence was heckled at a campaign stop. (Getty Images)

Republican presidential hopeful Mike Pence was heckled at a campaign stop by a man who came out and claimed the former vice president is gay, too.

Pence was registering for the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary vote on Friday (13 October) when he spoke a group of reporters. The heckler started shouting over Pence, which made him stumble over his words.

Mike Pence, are you going to tell them? the anonymous heckler said. You promised today was our coming out day Mike Pence and I are gay.

The heckling was captured on video and shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the news and politics account The Recount.

Were running because we believe, with all humility, that I am the most qualified, most experienced, most tested conservative seeking the Republican nomination, Pence told the audience while attempting to avoid the heckler.

A man standing next to Pence, thought to be a member of his team, stopped the former VP and made an effort to speak to the heckler. He excused Pence, waited for the heckler to finish talking, and apologised to the audience for the interruption.

Ill admit your John Deere is bigger than mine, the heckler said as he seemingly escorted out of the room.

Pence is battling for the Republican presidential nomination against former president and current favourite Donald Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis. Also in the running are former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Senator Tim Scott, North Dakota governor Doug Burgum and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Launching his presidential bid, Pence backed a nationwide ban on life-saving gender-affirming healthcare, and has said he intends to reinstate Trumps ban on trans people serving in the US military.

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See the article here:
Mike Pence heckled by man claiming they are both gay - PinkNews