Trump’s Israel criticism breaks with GOP, sows uncertainty
by Laura Kelly and Brett Samuels - 04/05/24 5:30 AM ET
Former President Trump’s growing criticism of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza signals a glaring break from GOP talking points backing Israel’s right to self-defense.
Trump allies played down the importance of his interview with Israeli reporters last week, saying his staunch support of Israel would continue in a potential second term.
But his comments in recent days underscore Trump’s ambiguous positions on some of the major national security issues he will face should he return to the White House.
John Bolton, who served for 17 months as Trump’s White House national security adviser, told The Hill the former president’s stance on Israel will largely depend on the environment he inherits and on what would best serve his own interests.
“At bottom, Trump doesn’t have a national security policy,” Bolton said, calling the former president’s approach “ad hoc.”
“He sees things primarily through the prism of, ‘Does this benefit Donald Trump?’” Bolton added.
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https://thehill.com/policy/international/4575189-trump-israel-criticism-gop-policy/