In a notable shift, former President Donald Trump openly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Previously referring to Netanyahu as a great ally, Trump has recently made remarks that American leaders typically avoid publicly. He attributed credit for Israel’s existence to himself, stating, “without me, there would be no Israel” and even labeled Netanyahu as “crazy” during interviews.
Netanyahu, who has led Israel through the terms of four U.S. presidents, has faced frustration from each. Yet, Trump is unique in expressing his discontent so openly. This tension is linked to Trump’s criticism of recent Israeli actions in Lebanon, which could hinder negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. Trump aims to finalize a deal to end the unpopular war with Iran, which has impacted domestic gas prices significantly. Aaron David Miller, a seasoned Middle East policy advisor, commented, “If Netanyahu gets between something Trump really wants, and that’s out of this war, he’s prepared to use the leverage he has.”
An agreement is planned to be signed in Burgenstock, near Luzern. At the G7 summit, Trump mentioned his dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s recent activities. “Without the U.S., there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel because no other president did what I did,” Trump asserted. He called for Netanyahu to act responsibly regarding Lebanon.
While bipartisan support for Israel has been a longstanding characteristic in Washington, it has weakened. Liberals have been critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, especially during the Gaza conflict, while conservatives question the U.S.’s traditional support for Israel. Trump’s statements have been met with backlash from leftist groups. Halie Soifer from the Jewish Democratic Council of America criticized Trump for suggesting Israel’s survival was tied to him, noting the comments are offensive to many Jews concerned about Israel’s future.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have voiced disagreements with Netanyahu regarding Gaza but have been careful in their public comments to ward off accusations of anti-Israel sentiment. Conservative groups have varied in their reactions to Trump’s remarks, with Matt Brooks of the Republican Jewish Coalition framing the criticism as typical familial disagreements.
Brooks dismissed concerns that Trump’s party’s subdued response indicated a political inconsistency, emphasizing Trump’s robust support for Israel during his presidency, citing his role in relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and negotiating the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza.
Meanwhile, Pro-Israel advocate Mort Klein suggested Trump should have made these critiques privately. Considering Trump’s historical support for leaders from countries like Turkey, North Korea, and China, Klein expressed concern that Trump’s public statements might be to appeal to Israel’s critics, amid increasing American hostility towards Israel.