Former President Donald Trump has expressed criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a Time magazine interview where he condemned the Hamas terror attack that took place on October 7. Trump suggested that the attack, in which around 1,200 people were killed, should never have happened, and believed Netanyahu was rightfully being blamed for it. He also mentioned that Israeli security forces had the equipment to prevent such an attack, but failed to do so, leading to the need for criticism.
Trump’s negative feelings towards Netanyahu date back to January 2020 when Israel allegedly pulled out of a joint operation to kill Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The former president claimed he was unhappy about Israel’s decision to withdraw from the operation, which led to strained relations between the two leaders. In his memoir, Jared Kushner revealed that Trump had considered endorsing Benny Gantz as Netanyahu’s rival in the 2020 Israeli elections, indicating potential support for an alternative leader in Israel.
Despite their previous close relationship during Trump’s administration, the former president has expressed disappointment in Netanyahu for acknowledging Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. Trump has also suggested that Israel is losing the public relations battle amidst the conflict in Gaza, which has led to concerns about the harrowing images coming from the region. This shift in Trump’s attitude towards Netanyahu is reflective of broader frustrations with the Israeli leader, who has faced criticism from other world leaders as well.
President Biden has also had tense exchanges with Netanyahu during the Israel-Hamas conflict, expressing concerns about aid for Palestinians and Israeli military plans in Gaza. In a hot mic moment during the State of the Union address, Biden mentioned having tough conversations with Netanyahu and criticized the lack of a solid plan for dealing with the situation in Rafah. Despite these challenges, Netanyahu has remained steadfast in his commitment to advancing into Rafah, even without a deal with Hamas over the release of hostages.
The relationship between Trump and Netanyahu has deteriorated, with the former president suggesting that the Israeli leader is to blame for the October 7 Hamas attack and other decisions that have strained their ties. Trump’s criticisms of Netanyahu align with broader frustrations with the Israeli leader’s actions during the Israel-Hamas conflict, as other world leaders have also expressed concerns and disagreements with Netanyahu’s policies. Despite their past cooperation during Trump’s administration, Trump’s comments indicate a shift in their relationship, with potential support for Netanyahu’s rivals like Benny Gantz.
