Former President Trump on Wednesday lashed out at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) for his past criticism of Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza, saying the high-ranking Jewish Democrat ” became like a Palestinian.”
Trump was asked during a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity about Israel’s war with Hamas. The former president and presumptive Republican Party nominee for November suggested that Israel does not have the same support it did years ago in Congress, citing criticism from people like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Schumer.
“They have no support. Even Schumer, he became like a Palestinian. Chuck Schumer. Jew. Always strong for Israel. He became like a Palestinian,” Trump said.
“It’s a very bad thing. It’s a very sad and very dangerous thing,” he added.
Schumer’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Schumer, in a speech in March, argued that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had “lost his way” and called for new elections in Israel amid the war with Hamas.
“As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: the Netanyahu coalition no longer meets Israel’s needs after October 7th,” Schumer said at the time, referring to the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,000 Israelites. “The world has changed – radically – since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a vision of government that is stuck in the past.”
Schumer’s remarks drew negative reactions from Republicans in particular, some of whom argued that it was inappropriate for the senator to call for elections and leadership changes in another democratic government.
In the following months, Schumer oversaw the passage of legislation that provided billions of dollars in funding to Israel in the midst of its ongoing war with Hamas.
Netanyahu has only faced increasing scrutiny since Schumer’s speech in March, when thousands of Palestinians were killed in Gaza, including in high-profile incidents that killed civilians and aid workers. President Biden has previously suggested that Netanyahu was hurting Israel more than he was helping, even as the White House has repeatedly said its support for Israel is “steadfast.”
Trump also criticized Netanyahu after the Oct. 7 attack, telling Time magazine in an April interview that the prime minister “was rightly criticized for what happened.”
Trump has also questioned Jews who do not support Israel and suggested that American Jews who vote for Democrats “should have their heads examined.”
The former president told Hannity on Wednesday that Israel “has to finish the job” in its fight with Hamas.
“They have to finish quickly. Strongly, and they have to come back to life. Because it’s taking too long. They have to finish the job,” he said.
The White House last week revealed a three-phase proposal this would lead to a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and allow for the reconstruction of Gaza, although Hamas has not yet accepted the terms.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
