Former President Donald J. Trump, in an interview with a conservative Israeli news outlet that was published on Monday, urged Israel to swiftly conclude their military actions, expressing strong support for the Israeli government while cautioning that their actions were harming their international image.
Despite criticizing President Biden and calling him “dumb,” Mr. Trump did not offer any specific recommendations for how the United States should address the conflict in Gaza or work towards peace between Israel and the Palestinians if he were to be elected again.
The interview with Israel Hayom coincided with the Biden administration’s support for a UN Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, as well as increasing dissent from former Trump administration officials on Biden’s policies.
David M. Friedman, the former ambassador to Israel under Trump, criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her statements on the situation in Gaza, suggesting that Palestinians should emigrate if needed. Mr. Friedman also indicated that he would discuss with Mr. Trump the idea of the U.S. recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.
Mr. Trump underscored the importance of Israel concluding the Gaza conflict swiftly and transitioning to peace to preserve international support. He also expressed concern about Israel’s public relation strategies during the crisis, specifically pointing out the negative impact of releasing images of bombings on their global image.
In response to rising antisemitism during the conflict, Mr. Trump criticized Israel’s display of destructive images, suggesting they were damaging their reputation globally. He questioned the release of footage showing buildings being destroyed in Gaza, believing it presented Israel in a negative light.
Mr. Trump seemed to suggest that Israel’s military officials should reconsider their communication strategies, emphasizing the importance of portraying a more positive image to the world.
