President Donald Trump remarked on Friday that Israel’s support in Congress and globally has been waning in recent years.
In a conversation with an online news outlet, Trump pointed out that the diminishing prestige stems from the increasing discontent surrounding the war in Gaza, particularly among leftist American politicians who take a stand against Israel.
“Israel, you get this, was the most formidable lobby I’ve ever witnessed. They had significant sway over Congress,” he observed.
Despite being a staunch ally of Israel during his presidency, Trump acknowledged the detrimental effects of the ongoing conflict on the nation’s global reputation.
“They’ll need to manage the war themselves. But it’s hurting Israel, no doubt about that. They could be winning the conflict, yet they can’t win the PR battle, and that impacts them.” He noted that the acceptance of criticism about Israel is more prevalent now, referencing vocal Democratic figures like Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, who have spoken against the military actions in Gaza.
Trump mentioned that in the past, speaking critically about Israel was essentially taboo for politicians. “There was a time when you couldn’t voice opposition. If you wanted to be in politics, it was simply not done. But now, with voices like AOC and others, that narrative has shifted,” he remarked.
While Ocasio-Cortez and Omar didn’t respond to requests for comment, Trump reinforced his support for Israel, saying, “Israel is remarkable; I value the strong support I’ve received from them.”
He also alluded to the October 7 attack as a significant event, emphasizing that many have overlooked its severity. “People have forgotten what happened on October 7. It was a chilling day; the images were disturbing,” he stated.
In his remarks, Trump also paralleled the denial of the Holocaust with the denial of the terrorist attacks that resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel. “There are those who deny such atrocities; they are deniers. Just like there are people who reject the reality of the Holocaust,” he concluded.
