Former President Donald J. Trump has once again made headlines with his recent interview with a conservative Israeli news outlet, where he urged Israel to “finish up your war” in Gaza. In a mix of bellicose support for the Israeli government and warnings about losing international support, Mr. Trump criticized the current situation in the region.
While Mr. Trump did not offer any specific solutions for ending the conflict or advancing peace between Israel and the Palestinians, he did express concern about the negative portrayal of Israel in the media. He criticized the release of images showing bombs being dropped on buildings in Gaza, calling it a “very bad picture for the world.”
The interview comes at a time when former members of Mr. Trump’s administration, such as Jared Kushner and David M. Friedman, have been vocal about their views on the conflict. Kushner, who led diplomatic efforts in the Middle East during the Trump administration, referred to the war in Gaza as “a little bit of an unfortunate situation,” while Friedman criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her comments on the situation in Rafah.
Overall, Mr. Trump’s message to Israel was clear: finish the war in Gaza and move quickly towards peace to avoid losing international support. As tensions continue to escalate in the region, his words carry weight and may impact future diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.