The former president of the United States, Donald Trump, estimated that the Israeli prime minister suffered in the attack by Hamas. The Finnish expert believes that the statement has no meaning for Trump’s supporters.
The suddenly tense situation in the Middle East is getting a lot of attention in the United States as well.
Foreign minister Anthony Blinken is traveling in Israel. According to The Times of Israel Blinken signals unwavering support for Israel. The United States wants to find a solution to this crisis, because at least 22 American citizens were killed in Hamas attacks on the Israeli side, says, among others, the British public radio BBC. It is known that there are also Americans as hostages of the extreme organization.
Former President of the United States Donald Trump on the other hand, has shuddered by criticizing Israel, with which he had very close relations during his presidency.
Trump, who is campaigning for the presidential elections in November of next year, estimates that the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu was not sufficiently prepared for the situation.
– He was not ready and Israel was not ready, Trump assessed in an interview with the Fox News channel. There is no video recording of the interview available. He also writes about it, among other things Washington Post magazine.
Speaking to supporters in Florida on Wednesday, Trump said:
– Something went wrong last week. The lines must be made straight. They (the Israelis) are taking on a big factor, maybe Iran, Trump said, referring to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah organization by big factor.
Trump assured that the situation would not have escalated during his administration.
He also praised the Hezbollah organization, which has carried out attacks on northern Israel from the Lebanese side.
– Hezbollah is very skilled, they are very skilled, Trump said.
A party colleague immediately intervened in Trump’s words
The former president leads the Republican Party’s nomination race in opinion polls. His most serious challenger, the governor of Florida Ron DeSantis caught Trump’s speeches on the X messaging service.
– It is absurd that anyone, let alone a presidential candidate, attacks a friend and ally, DeSantis writes.
Donald Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung rushed to smooth over Trump’s comments. According to him, the former president’s intention was to criticize unspecified US officials for giving Hezbollah the idea to open a second front in the north.
Spokesman Cheung was apparently referring to the US Department of Defense’s assessment on Monday, according to which Hezbollah’s activities in the north are of concern.
– President Trump clearly showed how incompetent Biden and his administration are when they communicate to terrorists in an area that is suitable for an attack. Genius does not mean the same as good, the spokesman said. The Washington Post writes about it, among others.
Finnish expert: Trump’s inconsistent speeches do not affect popularity
Professor of North American Studies at the University of Turku Benita Heiskanen estimates that Trump’s critical mentions of a close ally have little effect on his popularity.
– In general, foreign policy issues do not affect voting behavior in the United States. Trump’s voters do not vote based on political issues, but rather on the basis of personal cult, Professor Heiskanen estimated in a telephone interview.
According to him, the popularity can mainly be influenced by the Christian right.
– For example, canceling the right to abortion was such a question. It’s about boosting personal status, Heiskanen says.
Heiskanen reminds that the election is still a long time away, and it is not yet known whether Trump is the Republican candidate.
– His statements are not consistent.
So there is more than a year until the US elections. In the current tense world political situation, even big changes may be possible, but in the short term, the events in the Middle East will not affect the candidates’ campaign collections too much.
In American politics, many of the money faucets are controlled by the powerful AIPAC lobbying organization, whose mission is to nurture and promote good relations between the United States and Israel. So far, there are no signs of changes in the financial policy either.
Biden needs a victory in the Middle East
The 80-year-old president Joe Biden and 76-year-old Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu know each other from international political forums for decades. Biden and Netanyahu have also assured that they are close friends.
Biden has balanced his positions between the Palestinians and Israel. He has reportedly asked Prime Minister Netanyahu to suspend the construction of settlements in the West Bank. The depth of the partnership will be weighed in the near future.
Benita Heiskanen estimates that the situation in the Middle East will more generally become a big theme in elections. President Biden would need a foreign policy victory in the Middle East.
– Foreign policy has been President Biden’s weakest link. His approval ratings plummeted after the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Heiskanen reminds that in the United States Republicans and Democrats rarely agree on policy issues. Supporting Israel is one of them.