The likely Republican presidential nominee's recent comments about the direction of Israel have been the strongest yet.
- Trump avoids an explicit position on Israel's military excursion.
- His campaign blames Biden for the current chaos in the Middle East.
- The politician's plans include banning Gaza residents from entering the United States.
Donald Trump, the leading Republican presidential candidate, stressed that Israel must “finish the problem” in its war against Hamas. NBC News reported.
In his most definitive position on the conflict between Israel and Hamas since the October 7 attacks, Trump said: “We have to end the problem. There was a horrible invasion that would never have happened if I were president.”
The 77-year-old former president made these statements during a Fox News program in which he was also asked if he supported a ceasefire in Gaza.
In addressing the ceasefire issue, Trump sought to avoid an explicit position on Israel's military effort that has already killed more than 30,000 people in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The likely 2024 Republican nominee has not provided his position on U.S. or Israeli strategy during the five months of war, but has recently shifted his election campaign toward a pacifist stance.
Trump's recent comments on Israel's direction have been his strongest yet, but he has not provided specific proposals on U.S. financial involvement, the hostage negotiations, the situation of civilians in Gaza, or the election of a one or two state solution.
Additionally, the Trump campaign promoted his record on Israel and blamed Biden for the current chaos in the Middle East.
“President Trump did more for Israel than any American president in history, and took historic actions in the Middle East that created unprecedented peace,” Karoline Leavitt, Trump's national press secretary, said in a statement.
He added: “When President Trump returns to the Oval Office, Israel will be protected again, Iran will be bankrupt again, terrorists will be hunted down, and the bloodshed will end.”
Trump announced in the weeks after the Hamas attack that a future administration would “fully support Israel in defeating, dismantling and permanently destroying the Hamas terrorist group.”
Last October, his campaign also said that if elected again, he would ban Gaza residents from entering the United States as part of an expanded travel ban.
Over the past four months, Trump's public support for Israel has largely ceased, as Biden faces criticism from left-wing voters and Muslim Americans for his support of Israel's response to the Oct. 7 attack.
The Biden administration has increased criticism of Israel but has not cut military aid. They advocate for a six-week ceasefire agreement, including the release of hostages.
