Former President Trump's Allies Meet with Israeli Officials Amid Gaza Conflict
Top officials in Israel engaged in discussions with allies of former President Donald Trump last week to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as reported by reliable sources.
Allies of former President Donald Trump met with top officials in Israel last week to discuss the current conflict in Gaza, as reported by three sources familiar with the trip.
The visit was led by Keith Kellogg, a prominent national security adviser to the former president who also served in the Trump administration. This comes at a time when the presumptive Republican nominee has not provided many details on his approach to the Gaza war, which has become a contentious political issue in the US during a presidential election year. The group that visited Israel is expected to share a trip report with interested parties, including the Trump campaign, in the upcoming week, according to the sources.
One Trump adviser told CNN that the campaign only found out about the visit after it had already taken place. The visit included meetings with Israeli officials such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s minister of strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, according to sources.
Kellogg, currently serving as the co-chair of the America First Policy Institute, went on the trip along with several other national security experts from the think tank. The purpose of the visit seems to be to prepare for a potential second Trump administration.
One insider who attended the meetings shared that the group did not see a two-state solution as a viable option in the near future. Additionally, it was noted that Israel would prefer a temporary pause in the conflict to secure the release of hostages, but the current government is not looking to establish a long-lasting ceasefire.
During campaign events and speeches, Trump frequently emphasizes his strong support for Israel, claiming to be the most pro-Israel president in history.
Just a few days after the group came back, Trump was asked in an interview if he backed the idea of a ceasefire in Gaza.
During the interview on Fox News, Trump expressed his feelings about the situation, saying, "I hate seeing what's happening. This attack on Israel and Israel's counterattack, which is what it is, would've never happened if I was president." However, he did not directly address the question about supporting a ceasefire.
Trump supported the actions of the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza, stating, "You’ve got to finish the problem."
On October 7, Hamas carried out a sudden and deadly attack on Israel. In response, Israel launched a harsh military operation in Gaza, which involved a ground invasion and airstrikes, leading to a continuing humanitarian crisis.
Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz arrives at the US State Department ahead of a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on March 5, 2024.
Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz arrives at the US State Department ahead of a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on March 5, 2024.
Drew AngererAFP/Getty Images
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President Joe Biden has faced criticism from Muslims, Arab Americans, and progressive voters in the US for his support of Israel during its operation in Gaza. Recently, Biden and his administration have taken a stronger stance by urging Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and reduce civilian casualties.
Some Trump allies believe there is an opportunity to capitalize on the dissatisfaction within Biden's coalition and the administration's response, especially among supporters of Israel. However, during Kellogg's visit to Israel, his focus was on policy rather than politics, according to sources.
Aryeh Lightstone, who was a senior adviser to the Trump administration's ambassador to Israel and attended meetings with Kellogg, expressed concerns about Biden's approach to the conflict. He believes that Biden's stance is only prolonging the war and creating distance with Israel, the United States' top ally. Despite this, Kellogg maintained a non-partisan approach during his discussions with Israeli officials, keeping the conversations centered on facts and policies.
While Trump has presented himself as a strong supporter of Israel, his relationship with the country's current leader has sometimes made his public statements on the crisis more complex.
Trump and Netanyahu were close friends during Trump's presidency, but their friendship has deteriorated. This is mainly due to Trump's resentment towards Netanyahu after the prime minister openly recognized Biden's victory in the 2020 election.
In the months that came after, Trump criticized Netanyahu for disloyalty and expressed his anger to Axios, saying, "Forget him."
Some of Trump's advisers and allies were displeased when he publicly criticized Netanyahu shortly after a terrorist attack in Israel. During a campaign event in Florida, Trump claimed that the Prime Minister was not ready for Hamas' attack.
Trump criticized Israel for not joining the 2020 airstrike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, stating that Netanyahu "let us down."
In response to the backlash, Trump and his supporters have emphasized his actions regarding Israel during his presidency. These include signing the Abraham Accords to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and some Arab nations, relocating the US embassy to Jerusalem, and acknowledging Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the recent visit of former President Trump's allies to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The group's purpose was to gain insights for a potential second Trump administration, as the presumptive Republican nominee has remained relatively silent on his approach to the war. The allies met with top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu's minister of strategic affairs and the Knesset Speaker.
The visit underscores the Trump campaign's efforts to capitalize on the dissatisfaction within President Biden's coalition regarding his handling of the conflict. However, the group's focus remained on policy discussions rather than political maneuvering. Notably, Trump's relationship with Netanyahu has become strained, adding complexity to his public statements on the crisis. Despite this, Trump's allies continue to emphasize his past actions in support of Israel, such as the Abraham Accords and the relocation of the US embassy to Jerusalem.lasting ceasefire.
