Former President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday to declare his unwavering support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Using the hashtags “#IStandWithIsrael” and “#IStandWithBibi,” Trump made his stance clear. This statement comes after Trump’s recent criticisms of Netanyahu’s handling of the situation following Hamas’ deadly attacks.
During a rally in Florida, Trump had voiced disappointment in Netanyahu, stating that he had “let us down” before the United States took action against a top Iranian general. Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s intelligence agencies and referred to Hezbollah, a group feared by Israel, as “very smart.”
Following these remarks, Trump faced backlash from not only the White House but also his fellow GOP rivals. It is worth noting that his rivals have typically avoided directly attacking Trump, as he enjoys significant popularity within the Republican Party’s base.
However, Trump’s team engaged in damage control, emphasizing his previous support for Israel and highlighting his friendship with the Israeli prime minister. Trump’s team stressed that there was “no better friend or ally of Israel than President Donald J. Trump.” Furthermore, Trump commended Israeli soldiers engaged in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Despite these attempts to mitigate the controversy, Trump’s strained relationship with Netanyahu is no secret. After Netanyahu congratulated then-President-elect Joe Biden, Trump reportedly used an expletive to describe the embattled prime minister and criticized his loyalty. Nevertheless, Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, defended the former president’s support for Israel during his tenure, citing his significant contributions such as moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and brokering the Abraham Accords.
While Trump’s comments received further condemnation from prominent Republican figures such as former Vice President Mike Pence, who labeled them as “reckless and irresponsible,” it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact Trump’s standing within the party moving forward.
FAQs
What did Donald Trump say about Benjamin Netanyahu?
Donald Trump recently criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that he had “let us down” and suggesting that he needed to improve the country’s intelligence efforts. However, Trump later clarified his support for Netanyahu and emphasized his past friendship with the Israeli prime minister.
Why did Trump’s comments receive backlash?
Trump’s comments drew widespread condemnation, including from the White House and his fellow GOP rivals. Critics argued that leaders should send a unified message of support for Israel, and Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu and his description of Hezbollah as “very smart” were seen as inappropriate and counterproductive.
What were Trump’s past contributions to Israel?
During his presidency, Trump made significant contributions to Israel, such as moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and brokering the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab countries. Trump’s team highlighted these achievements to emphasize his support for Israel.