Former President Trump says Israel made a “very big mistake” in invading Gaza, noting that broadcast images of widespread destruction had turned many against the country in his strongest criticism of Israel since the start of its war against Hamas last year.
in Interview with Israel Hayom On Sunday, Trump criticized the Israeli government for its widespread bombing campaign against Gaza and the rampant destruction caused by its ongoing ground invasion, which came after more than 1,100 Israelis were killed in a Hamas attack on October 7.
Trump said the rise in anti-Semitism in the United States and abroad was because Israel “resisted.”
“I think Israel made a very big mistake,” he said. “I wanted to call [Israel] He says don't do that. These are pictures and snapshots. I mean, moving shots of bombs being dropped on buildings in Gaza. I said, “Oh, that's a terrible picture.”
He continued: “It is a very bad image for the world.” “The world sees this… Every night, I would watch buildings fall on people. They will say the Department of Defense provided this, and whoever presents this, it is a bad image.”
Trump reiterated his support for Israel, but said images of the violent military response sparked anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment.
“You go and do what you have to do. But you don't do it,” he said, referring to mass bombings. “And I think that's one of the reasons there are so many kickbacks. If people didn't see it, I watched every single one of them every night. “I think Israel wanted to show that it is difficult, but sometimes you don’t have to do it.”
He later urged the country's leadership to change its public image in the conflict.
“Israel has to do better with its promotion and public relations, because it is in ruins right now,” Trump said. “They're being hurt badly, I think from a PR standpoint.”
These criticisms come as Democrats continue to increase pressure on the Israeli government over civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. More than 32,000 Palestinians were killed, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
While both Trump and President Biden have said they strongly support Israel, Democrats have been more aggressive in recent weeks in criticizing the country. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called for new elections in Israel earlier this month, which Trump criticized.
Biden also said that the Israeli military offensive “went too far,” considering that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership “is hurting Israel more than helping it.” Trump similarly criticized the comments, claiming that Biden “dumped” Netanyahu.
Trump has mostly refrained from commenting on the war between Israel and Hamas, sending mixed messages about the details while adding that he supports Israel. In November, he said the conflict should be left “to let things work out”, while earlier this month he urged the Israeli government to continue its invasion of Gaza.
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