GOP fundraiser calls for Witkoff's firing over Putin, Hamas comments

GOP fundraiser Eric Levine called for Trump's special envoy group Steve Witkov to be fired for recent comments by diplomats on Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming that the president's best friend was “deceived” by Palestinian extremist group Hamas during hostage negotiations.

Levine, who previously raised funds for Sen. Tim Scott (Rs.C.), a short-lived 2024 presidential election, wrote in an email reviewed by Hill that Witkoff is “a shame for the country he serves and the president.”

“He should do something honorable and resign. Fail, he should be fired immediately,” Levine said in an email to his network.

Levine, a board member of the Republican Jewish Union (RJC), spoke in his personal abilities.

It was received by Witkoff, a wealthy real estate investor who emerged as a force in the president's foreign policy equipment. Criticism From foreign policy experts and some members of Congress around the characterization of Putin when he appeared on the podcast of former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Trump's envoy said he “loves” Putin and doesn't see the Russian leader as a “bad guy.” He also proposed in his podcast that Russia has rights to four regions of Ukraine: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zapolizia and Herson.

“They are Russian-speaking, and there was a referendum that the overwhelming majority of people were showing that they were under Russian control,” Witkov told Carlson on an episode of the podcast. Broadcast Friday.

Other comments Witkoff has received backlash have said he doesn't believe Hamas is “ideologically manageable,” and Palestinian extremist groups say “unarmed” and “maybe they can stay there a little bit… they can get politically involved.”

“Anyone who is willing to resort to the words of the cult of nihilistic Nazi deaths, which is clear about this naive, depleted nasty empt against Western civilization, is not entitled to represent the United States in such a critical national craft. “He clearly does not understand who he is dealing with, how to effectively negotiate.”

Levine followed Witkoff, agreeing to sit with Carlson, calling the former Fox News host's podcast “a malignant and malicious platform for revisionist history.”

“For guests who disagree or feel weak, he [Carlson] The Browbeats try to humiliate them until they either agree with him or are ridiculously prevented from ending their claims,” ​​Levine said.

Vice President Vance defended Witkov, who became an important negotiator in building a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, praised him as “a great man who does an incredible job.”

“The people who are targeting him are angry that he has been successful in a place where he has failed for 40 years,” Vance wrote in a Monday post on social media platform X.

Levine, a New York-based donorhost The fundraiser for the former 2024 GOP presidential candidate in December 2023 was written in a lengthy email, regardless of whether they consider US-led peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to be “the right policy.”

“Defendants of people who are unprotectable or pretending to be unprotectable didn't happen. There's no way to beat the Americans, and there's no more chance that this could bring peace between the two fighting nations,” Levine said.

Levine said Secretary of State Marco Rubio should take on the role of Witkov and lead both the negotiations in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

“These efforts should be led by Marco Rubio. He has proven he has the judgment, perspective and knowledge to take the lead in negotiations, including Ukraine and Gaza,” Levine said. “He serves his country with honor and distinction. Most importantly, he can succeed in places where Witkov cannot. Witkov has to go, Rubio has to take his place.”

RJC spokesman Sam Markstein told Hill that Levine is “speaking in his individual abilities,” while RJC is “completely confident in Mr Witkoff.”

Levine's email was first reported by a Jewish insider.

Oka reached out to the White House and RJC for comments.