Former President Donald Trump has urged Israel to expedite the conclusion of its ongoing conflict in Gaza, warning that the nation is losing global support.
In an interview with Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, Trump expressed his concern over the nightly images of bombs being dropped on residential buildings in Gaza, labeling it a "big mistake."
"You have to finish up your war. To finish it up. You gotta get it done. And, I am sure you will do that. And we gotta get to peace, we cant have this going on. And I will say, Israel has to be very careful, because youre losing a lot of the world, youre losing a lot of support," Trump cautioned.
Since the Hamas attacks on October 7 and Israel's subsequent response, the former president has largely refrained from commenting on the conflict. However, his recent remarks represent his most assertive intervention yet, coming ahead of an anticipated United Nations Security Council vote expected to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
When questioned about the rise in anti-Semitism following the Hamas attacks and Israel's response, Trump seemed to attribute this to the images of Israeli bombings in Gaza. "Well, thats because you fought back," he stated. "And I think Israel made a very big mistake. I wanted to call [Israel] and say dont do it. These photos and shots. I mean, moving shots of bombs being dropped into buildings in Gaza. And I said, Oh, thats a terrible portrait. Its a very bad picture for the world. The world is seeing thisevery night, I would watch buildings pour down on people."
In response to the argument that Hamas fighters were present in the buildings targeted by Israel, Trump advised, "Go and do what you have to do. But you dont do that". He suggested that the nightly images of bombings were a significant factor in the backlash Israel has faced.
Trump also pointed a finger at President Joe Biden for the conflict, criticizing his foreign policy record. "He cant talk. Hes a very dumb person. Hes a dumb person. His foreign policy throughout 50 years has been horrible," Trump declared. "If you look at people that were in other administrations with him, they saw him as a weak, ineffective president, they [Hamas] would have never done that attack if I were there."
In the interview, Trump reiterated his belief that Jews who do not support him "hate Israel". When asked how he would react if his children or grandchildren were kidnapped by Hamas, he responded, "I would act very much the same way as you did. You would have to be crazy not to. Only a fool would not do that. That was a horrible attack".
Trump also commented on recent statements by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called for new elections and for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be replaced. "I think its a terrible thing to do because it takes all of your momentum away," Trump said, proceeding to label progressive Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. as "lunatics" who "hate Israel" and the Jewish people.
"Israel has to get better with the promotional and with the public relations because right now theyre in ruin," Trump advised Israel Hayom.
The interview was conducted as Prime Minister Netanyahu cancelled a trip to Washington following the United Nations Security Council's resolution calling for a ceasefire. The U.S. allowed the vote to pass by abstaining.
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