Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday for what he described as a lack of preparedness for the attack launched by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) earlier this week, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people in Israel. Trump, who is the leading candidate for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election, stated in an interview with Fox News that Netanyahu "suffered greatly" from the attack. He added, "He was not prepared, and Israel was not prepared. Under Trump, they should have been ready."
Trump's remarks came as Israel continues to tally its casualties and deals with one of the most devastating attacks in its history, prompting retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza that resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 Palestinians. In comments to his supporters in Florida, he described the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which, like Hamas, is supported by Iran, as "very smart." Trump said, "You know, Hezbollah is very smart. They're all very smart."
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates characterized the comments as "dangerous and inappropriate," while Trump faced backlash from some Republican opponents for criticizing an ally of the United States during a crisis. Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi stated that Trump's remarks demonstrate that he cannot be relied upon. He added to Channel 13 in Israel, "It's shameful for a man like this, a former president of the United States, to incite propaganda and spread things that affect the morale of Israeli fighters and its citizens."
In his speech, Trump revealed for the first time that Israel decided at the last minute not to participate in the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, who was killed in Iraq in a U.S. drone strike on January 3, 2020, by Trump's order. Trump mentioned that Israel informed the United States the night before the operation that they decided not to participate but did not clarify the reasons for their decision. He added, "I will never forget that Bibi (Netanyahu) let us down. That was just terrible."
One of Trump's opponents in the Republican race, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, criticized the former president. DeSantis wrote on social media late Wednesday, "It’s ridiculous for anyone to choose now, let alone a presidential candidate, to attack our friend and ally Israel." There was a close relationship between Trump and Netanyahu during Trump's presidency, but cracks have emerged in their previously strong relationship.
