Trump says Israel made a big mistake bombing civilians in Gaza
By isabelle // 2024-03-28
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Former President Donald Trump warned in a recent interview that Israel needs to “finish up” the war against Hamas and said that bombing civilian buildings in Gaza was a big mistake that is stirring up antisemitism. In the interview with Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, he said: "And I will say, Israel has to be very careful, because you're losing a lot of the world, you're losing a lot of support, you have to finish up, you have to get the job done. And you have to get on to peace, to get on to a normal life for Israel, and for everybody else.” “I wanted to call [Israel] and say don’t do it,” Trump said, referring to the footage they released of retaliatory action in the Gaza Strip. “These photos and shots. I mean, moving shots of bombs being dropped into buildings in Gaza. And I said, Oh, that’s a terrible portrait. It’s a very bad picture for the world.” When asked how he would deal with rising antisemitism if he were president, he reiterated that he thinks the country “made a very big mistake.” At the same time, however, he admitted he would have responded in “very much the same” way as Israel to that type of attack, adding that “you would have to be crazy not to” do so. He also said that Israel now needs to work on its “public relations” as the country is losing support in America. He said: "It bothers me that people don't talk about Oct. 7 anymore. They [only] talk about how aggressive Israel is." His words were interpreted by some to indicate he is is blaming Israel for antisemitism. His campaign released a statement clarifying his stance, saying he "made clear, he fully supports Israel's right to defend itself and eliminate the terrorist threat. He also believes that Israel's interests will be best served by completing this mission as quickly, decisively and humanely as possible so that the region can return to peace and stability."

Israel is losing support around the world, including the U.S.

The comments come at a time when the United States seems to be losing patience with Israel. The administration of President Joe Biden, for example, has been openly critical of a potential military offensive Israel is planning in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians are currently seeking refuge. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently canceled a trip by top Israeli officials to Washington to discuss their plans for Rafah in protest over the U.S.’s failure to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages by Hamas. However, he reversed that decision days later and said the officials will be there as early as a week after the initial cancelation. Relations between the two leaders have been deteriorating, and it is clear that Israel is losing the support of what was once one of its strongest allies. According to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, and Biden warned in a recent interview with Seth Meyers that the Jewish state is losing support. “Israel has had the overwhelming support of the vast majority of nations. If it keeps this up with this incredibly conservative government they have … they’re going to lose support from around the world,” he cautioned. Netanyahu has said that the war will not end until they have eliminated Hamas and “Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.” It is something he expects to take “months, not years” – and by that time, they may have no support left. Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com ABCNews.go.com Axios.com Reuters.com
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