Former President Trump often made support for Israel a cornerstone of his foreign policy during his first term in office, but in recent weeks he has offered mixed messages about how he would handle Israel’s battle with Hamas if he were chief executive.

Trump initially criticized Israeli leadership over the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7 but has since reiterated his support for the country. He has insisted he would take a much harder line against Iran, which has long backed the military wing of Gaza’s governing body, but has suggested the Israel-Hamas conflict will have to play out.

 

Trump’s comments and policy stances have offered clues about how he would handle the situation, providing a glimpse into how he and President Biden — the two men most likely to be on the ballot next November — differ on a major foreign policy issue.

Hostage efforts

Trump has joined a chorus of Republicans critical of the Biden White House for its dealings on hostages, which include Israelis, Americans and other foreign nationals, taken by Hamas.

Over the weekend, in a deal brokered by the U.S., Israel and Hamas agreed to a pause in fighting to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave and Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for a wave of hostages being freed. The first two waves, however, included no Americans.

“Has anybody noticed that Hamas has returned people from other Countries but, so far, has not returned one American Hostage? There is only one reason for that, NO RESPECT FOR OUR COUNTRY OR OUR LEADERSHIP,” Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social.

 

FULL STORY

Go ahead and flap your yap and let a real administration do the tough diplomatic work and your attempt at division in this fraught situation is noted 

Edited November 29, 20232 yr by Tug

The very first hostages released were American....Others later on.

Keeping his options open - smart move.

 

No flies on The Don.

57 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Keeping his options open - smart move.

 

No flies on The Don.

The only things 'The Don' keeps open is his mouth....and his flies!

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Keeping his options open - smart move.

 

No flies on The Don.

 

LOL! Is that what you call "leadership", being completely all over the place and non-committal on a critical security and geo-political issue? As to the "no flies on The Don", perhaps you need to zoom in. The stench from his various political machinations are being released on a regular basis during his various trials, and it looks like a blue bottle convention up close.

The obvious reason for few or no Americans having been released is their continuing usefulness as hostages: The US Administration is the only government able to lean on the Israelis sufficiently to keep making concessions ...

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Keeping his options open - smart move.

 

No flies on The Don.

Another comical post!

555555

 

Last week you told me you do not like or support Trump, and here you are again with the fan club cheering.

 

The only thing that is consistent is your inconsistency!

Edited November 29, 20232 yr by Georgealbert

He would not be capable of handling the Israeli War. Does anybody remember his foreign policy from his last term, it was the Kushner policy! He sent a numskull to the Middle East to try to negotiate with some of the toughest negotiators in the world, and the guy came back empty-handed.

 

Trump was dismal when it came to foreign policy, everything he touched turned to crap. 

31 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

He would not be capable of handling the Israeli War. Does anybody remember his foreign policy from his last term, it was the Kushner policy! He sent a numskull to the Middle East to try to negotiate with some of the toughest negotiators in the world, and the guy came back empty-handed.

 

Trump was dismal when it came to foreign policy, everything he touched turned to crap. 

 

Not exactly empty-handed, but not quite the hyped up version they made it to be:

 

Abraham Accords

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Accords

32 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

He would not be capable of handling the Israeli War. Does anybody remember his foreign policy from his last term, it was the Kushner policy! He sent a numskull to the Middle East to try to negotiate with some of the toughest negotiators in the world, and the guy came back empty-handed.

 

Trump was dismal when it came to foreign policy, everything he touched turned to crap. 

Didn't Kushner come back with 2 billion dollars? 

42 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Another comical post!

555555

 

Last week you told me you do not like or support Trump, and here you are again with the fan club cheering.

 

The only thing that is consistent is your inconsistency!

 

Yes that's right I don't like him (or Biden). I call his decisions on a case by case basis unlike many on here who would blame him for the amount of homeless dogs if he saved a drowning puppy.

 

In a minefield like the middle east it can be advantageous to keep things as non partisan as possible. Play one side against the other. Not just dive in head first on day one and commit to one side or the other. So yes, I think he has got this one right. But then, I am fortunate enough to not be completely obsessed with him unlike many on here. 

Trump always gives mixed messages.Does no what he is saying 99% of the time. A liar MUST have a good memory!

5 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Yes that's right I don't like him (or Biden). I call his decisions on a case by case basis unlike many on here who would blame him for the amount of homeless dogs if he saved a drowning puppy.

 

In a minefield like the middle east it can be advantageous to keep things as non partisan as possible. Play one side against the other. Not just dive in head first on day one and commit to one side or the other. So yes, I think he has got this one right. But then, I am fortunate enough to not be completely obsessed with him unlike many on here. 

 

Do tell how Trump was seen as non-partisan last time around.

8 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Yes that's right I don't like him (or Biden). I call his decisions on a case by case basis unlike many on here who would blame him for the amount of homeless dogs if he saved a drowning puppy.

 

In a minefield like the middle east it can be advantageous to keep things as non partisan as possible. Play one side against the other. Not just dive in head first on day one and commit to one side or the other. So yes, I think he has got this one right. But then, I am fortunate enough to not be completely obsessed with him unlike many on here. 

555555

 

Flip-flopping again. You do not like Trump, but, but……., none stop support and propaganda for him.

 

55555

 

You do know that your village is still looking for you.

 

 

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Yes that's right I don't like him (or Biden). I call his decisions on a case by case basis unlike many on here who would blame him for the amount of homeless dogs if he saved a drowning puppy.

 

In a minefield like the middle east it can be advantageous to keep things as non partisan as possible. Play one side against the other. Not just dive in head first on day one and commit to one side or the other. So yes, I think he has got this one right. But then, I am fortunate enough to not be completely obsessed with him unlike many on here. 

You mean like when he moved the embassy to Jerusalem and negotiated a 'peace plan' with Netanyahu only, without involving the Palestinian authority?

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Keeping his options open - smart move.

 

No flies on The Don.

 But there is a long trail of destruction...

26 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

555555

 

Flip-flopping again. You do not like Trump, but, but……., none stop support and propaganda for him.

 

55555

 

You do know that your village is still looking for you.

 

 

 

Like I said, call it how I see it. Same as I do with Biden.

 

Trump is wise not to commit at this stage. Too early.

 

biden may regret jumping on the Israeli bandwagon so soon

Only thing this career criminal and con-man is gonna be handling are vertical bars in a Federal Pen...and his cajones, if he even has any❗🤣

58 minutes ago, jchfriis said:

Didn't Kushner come back with 2 billion dollars? 

 

Kushner has always been about the money, and always will be about the money, the benefit that can be imparted to mankind means nothing, and the same applies to his master. 

1 hour ago, Morch said:

 

Not exactly empty-handed, but not quite the hyped up version they made it to be:

 

Abraham Accords

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Accords

 

 

And all of that seemed to go out the window with Israel's invasion of Gaza, and Biden's bowing down to Netanyahu. 

1 hour ago, candide said:

You mean like when he moved the embassy to Jerusalem and negotiated a 'peace plan' with Netanyahu only, without involving the Palestinian authority?

Trump also didn't include the King of Jordan who had UN administrative authority over the West Bank. Trump did try to include Hamas but only to the extent of offering them bribes to concede sovereignty which they refused. 

Flames and baiting posts removed also replies

 

Please see our Community Standards

Why all the political anti? Whether it's Biden, Trump or any other 'super-duper-cooperman' there is no handling of the Middle East, period. There might a quiet here and there, then it all flares up again.

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 

 

And all of that seemed to go out the window with Israel's invasion of Gaza, and Biden's bowing down to Netanyahu. 

 

Go out the window how? Did any of the countries involved renege on the agreements? Israeli President due to speech at a convention in Dubai (next week, I think, some climate thing).

 

Israel invaded the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack. Biden did not really 'bow down' to Netanyahu, other than in your post.

IMO the Middle East will never be at peace until all the major players accept Israel's right to exist.

Trump's hot air on the issue is about as credible as his claim he can settle the war in Ukraine in one day.

Trump with a "mixed message"? Who would have thought? 

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Keeping his options open - smart move.

 

No flies on The Don.

 

No flies on The Don.

 

But you can see where they've been..................

9 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

Yes and also...liar, con-man, cheater, thief. Crime boss and lifelong criminal. Oh and let's not forget insurrectionist and wannabe Dictator (absolute DICK-tator in his case).🤮

You are being far too polite with your over flattering description of this MAGA ..................! (deleted)