Trump: Netanyahu ‘rightfully has been criticized’ over October Hamas attacks

Former President Trump in a new interview was sharply critical of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over last October’s attacks that killed more than 1,000 Israelis, though he stopped short of calling for his ouster.

Trump spoke at length with Time magazine about his plans for a possible second term, including how he would handle relations with Israel amid its war with Hamas. The former president chastised Netanyahu and said the Oct. 7 attacks “should have never happened.”

Asked if he would be able to work better with Netanyahu’s political rival, Benny Gantz, Trump said he was “not prepared to say that.”

“I haven’t spoken to him about it. But you have some very good people that I’ve gotten to know in Israel that could do a good job,” Trump said.

“And I will say this: Bibi Netanyahu rightfully has been criticized for what took place on Oct. 7,” Trump added.

Israel has faced international criticism, including from Democrats in the U.S., over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the death toll of civilians and aid workers. President Biden’s White House has simultaneously defended Israel’s right to respond to Hamas and called on Israel to do more to protect civilians and aid workers, suggesting the administration could condition future military aid if it does make concrete changes.

Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, has offered few insights into how he would handle the Israel-Hamas conflict if he were in the White House.

Instead, he’s asserted repeatedly that the war would have never started if he were president. He has also called on Israel to finish the war and remarked on images of buildings falling in Gaza, which he says are causing Israel to lose the public relations battle.

Trump has highlighted his first administration’s support for Israel, though he has also attacked Jewish Americans who vote for Democrats or do not support Israel, suggesting they hate their own religion.

In his interview with Time, which was conducted earlier this month, Trump cast doubt on the prospect of a two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians upon the conclusion of the conflict.

“There was a time when I thought two states could work. Now I think two states is going to be very, very tough,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be much tougher to get. I also think you have fewer people that liked the idea. You had a lot of people that liked the idea four years ago. Today, you have far fewer people that like that idea.”