Republican presidential candidates are rejecting former President Donald Trump’s remarks where he praised Hezbollah as “very smart” and voiced criticism towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the recent Hamas attack on Israelis.
After Trump’s remarks on the crisis, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley expressed their disapproval of the GOP presidential frontrunner’s comments.
At a political rally on Wednesday, Trump said Netanyahu “let us down” before the U.S. killed top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020, and said Israeli leaders need to “step up their game.”
The former president said of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militia designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department, “You know, Hezbollah is very smart,” amid Israel’s concerns that Hezbollah could open another front in the war from the north. In an interview Thursday, Trump said Netanyahu was “not prepared” for last weekend’s surprise assault by Hamas.
The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths in Israel and Gaza combined, as of Friday, and at least 27 Americans are known to be among the dead.
During a DeSantis town hall in Merrimack, New Hampshire, on a Friday morning, a voter expressed that although there are many individuals who generally appreciate Trump’s policies, they may not necessarily be enthusiastic about his demeanor. The voter specifically mentioned Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu.
When questioned about the reasons for choosing DeSantis over Trump, DeSantis highlighted Trump’s remarks on Israel. DeSantis expressed his belief that criticizing certain aspects may have hindered progress in other areas. He emphasized the importance of avoiding unnecessary alienation and stated that it would not be productive to criticize Netanyahu during a time of war.
During a conversation with reporters in Concord, New Hampshire on Thursday, DeSantis addressed Trump’s attitude towards Israel, questioning, “Is it appropriate to hold personal grudges or conflicts with [Netanyahu] at this moment?”
Christie, who has been vocal about his disdain for Trump on various matters, delivered what could be considered the most powerful critique of the ex-president.
On CNN, Christie criticized Trump, calling him a fool for making such remarks. Christie pointed out that only a fool would provide comments that support Israel’s adversary in this situation and consistently relate it back to himself.
Christie continued, emphasizing that the individual in question prioritizes only themselves, disregarding the American people and the people of Israel. Their sole concern lies with the reflection they see in the mirror every morning. Christie firmly stated that as a Republican Party, it would be unwise to repeat the mistake of nominating such an individual as their candidate, as they are unfit to hold the presidency of the United States.
As Pence filed to be on the presidential primary ballot in Concord, New Hampshire, he was questioned about Trump’s remarks concerning Hezbollah and Netanyahu.
“I disagree with the former president’s remarks, finding them both reckless and irresponsible. It is crucial for leaders in our nation to convey unwavering support for Israel, leaving no room for ambiguity.”
Pence expressed his disbelief at speaking critically about Prime Minister Netanyahu and referring to Hezbollah as ‘very smart,’ stating that it was incomprehensible to him. He asserted that Hezbollah is not intelligent but rather evil.
Haley, who served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations during Trump’s presidency, emphasized that Trump’s remarks highlight the necessity for a new leader from a different generation in the United States.
Haley expressed her concern about the world’s dangers during a town hall, emphasizing her disinterest in hearing praises for Hezbollah or congratulating the Communist Party. She also criticized any actions of hitting Netanyahu. Haley emphasized the need for a leader who is not fixated on the past but can envision the future clearly.
Trump received strong criticism from Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson as well.
Hutchinson expressed his disapproval of Donald’s actions on Twitter, stating that his continual admiration for dictators, terrorist organizations, and wrongdoers does not align with the values and responsibilities of the sought-after office, nor does it reflect the American spirit. Hutchinson urges his fellow candidates and @GOPChairwoman to promptly denounce Donald Trump’s statements. In Hutchinson’s perspective, Donald Trump diverges from the principles of the Republican Party, fails to connect with the American populace, and demonstrates a lack of sanity by endorsing terrorists who threaten a crucial ally.
According to the Associated Press, Senator Tim Scott stated in response to Trump’s comments that it is imperative for the United States not to convey any conflicting message to Israel’s adversaries regarding the relationship between U.S. and Israeli leaders.
Trump claimed on Friday that had he been the president, Hamas’ assault on Israel would have never occurred. Additionally, he restated his unfounded assertions regarding the 2020 election.
On the Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his belief that the attack on Israel would not have occurred if the 2020 election had not been rigged and stolen, emphasizing the absence of any possibility.
David Friedman, the former ambassador to Israel under Trump’s administration, currently residing in Israel with his family, expressed his gratitude towards President Biden through a tweet, acknowledging his backing of Israel.
“In Judaism there is an obligation of “Hakarat Hatov” — saying thank you to those who perform good deeds, Friedman wrote. “While I have been, and remain, deeply critical of the Biden Administration, the moral, tactical, diplomatic and military support that it has provided Israel over the past few days has been exceptional. As one living in Jerusalem with children who are Israeli citizens, I am deeply grateful.”
Trump has repeatedly claimed that he has done more for Israel than any other president, emphasizing his choice to relocate the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. However, this is not the first instance where Trump’s remarks regarding Israel and the Jewish community have caused concern.
Trump claimed in October 2022 that assuming the role of Israel’s prime minister would be a simple task for him. In the same social media message, he insinuated that Jewish individuals residing in the United States fail to acknowledge his contributions to Israel. Trump, in his post, urged the Jewish community to rectify their behavior and acknowledge the valuable aspects of Israel before it becomes too late.
At the time, Trump’s comments faced criticism from the American Jewish Committee.
The AJC tweeted that backing the Jewish state does not authorize anyone to lecture American Jews or make unfounded judgments about the relationship between U.S. Jews and Israel. It should be emphasized that these ties are robust and long-lasting.
Grace Kazarian contributed to this report.
- In:
- Hamas
- Israel
- Joe Biden
- Donald Trump
- Netanyahu
