Donald Trump Slammed by Republican Opponents Over Israel Response
Donald Trump's response to Hamas's attack on Israel has certainly raised eyebrows and his Republican opponents are now using his recent comments against him, questioning his already-divisive international relations record.
Following the Hamas attack against Israel, Donald Trump declared Hezbollah "very smart" and slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the intelligence failure. This got many of his Republican opponents bristling and immediately slammed the former president over his comments.
According to CBS News, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley all piled on Trump after he said Netanyahu "let us down" and demanded Israeli leaders to "step up their game."
In New Hampshire, DeSantis told the crowd at his rally, "To go out and just take potshots at Netanyahu in a time of war right now, I don't see where that's very productive."
Meanwhile, Chris Christie could not hide his disgust at the ex-POTUS, giving out the strongest rebuke of all, calling Trump a fool. "Only a fool would make those kinds of comments. Only a fool would give comments that give aid and comfort to Israel's adversary in this situation, and he always places it in the context of himself," he said in a recent interview.
As for the man he allegedly wanted to be hanged on January 6, Mike Pence rebuked his former running mate by saying, "I found the former president's comments to be reckless and irresponsible. Leaders in this country should be sending no message other than America stands with Israel."
He added, "To speak in a critical way about Prime Minister Netanyahu, to refer to the terrorist organization Hezbollah as 'very smart,' I think - was incomprehensible to me."
Donald Trump Praised Terrorist Group, Hezbollah, After Slamming Israel
During a campaign speech, Trump accused Israel of pulling out of the effort to kill Iranian hardliner Qassem Suleimani. He noted that Netanyahu "let him down: before calling Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant a "jerk." However, while he was attacking US allies, he was praising a group regarded as terrorists by the US government.
"You know, Hezbollah is very smart," praising the terrorist group before continuing his criticisms of Israel, saying Netanyahu was "not prepared" for last weekend's surprise assault by Hamas.
The Times of Israel pointed out that Trump's comments were in stark contrast from President Joe Biden who had expressed his steadfast support of Israel while his main political rival continued antagonizing US allies and praising US opponents.
Donald Trump's Reaction to Israel Attack Puts Foreign Policy in Question
Even though he had been president before, experts note that when it comes to foreign policy, Donald Trump is one of the weakest, as he has become infamous for making US foreign relations all about himself, according to CNN.
Trump tried to diffuse the situation by saying "there was no better friend or ally of Israel" than him before accusing Biden of weakness and incompetence and continuing to insist that the attack on Israel would not have happened if he were president.
However, Trump does have a history of international bungling, from saluting a North Korean general with the rogue country then using it for propaganda purposes, to "acting like a petulant child" when dealing with then-German chancellor Angela Merkel and other allies should things not go his way.
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Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Trump attacks Israel's Netanyahu, praises 'very smart' Iran-backed Hezbollah