Trump Addresses Republican Defeat, Finally Confronts U.S.-Israel Relations: Americans Deeply Dislike Israel
Following the midterm election losses, Trump has finally acknowledged the issue of Israel.
In a recent interview, he outlined the reasons for the defeat. First, he noted that his absence from the ballot meant Republican voters could not cast ballots for him personally—after all, not every Republican candidate is as widely popular as he is.
On a deeper level, Trump attributed voter dissatisfaction to the conflict with Iran, as rising oil prices are universally unpopular. He also stated that Americans generally harbor “extreme dislike” toward Israel.
This remark, coming from Trump, is striking. As the closest ally of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump has rarely spoken out publicly against Israel. The few instances of public disagreement occurred during private phone calls, later revealed by so-called insiders to the media, which allowed the public to learn of tensions between the two.
Yet this comment is not solely an act of venting frustration toward Israel. The fact remains that American sentiment toward Israel has indeed deteriorated. Polling data shows that opposition to the Israeli government has risen to 62% as military operations in Gaza continue, while disapproval of the Israeli people stands at 42%.
This indicates that a significant portion of Americans have come to recognize Israel’s true character: a state whose government and populace alike are perceived as cold-blooded perpetrators responsible for the Palestinian tragedy.
Moreover, the Iran-related conflict was driven by Netanyahu’s urging, leading to soaring oil prices that caused economic hardship for American households—a key factor behind the Republican Party’s electoral loss.
The vice president, in a lengthy piece widely interpreted as an effort to distance himself from Trump, also emphasized that the United States must urgently reassess its relationship with Israel and stop allowing itself to be dragged down by Israeli actions.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881359137035400/
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