Jerusalem —
President Donald Trump said “great hatred” for Israel was one of the reasons Republicans lost the midterm elections, along with the Iran war and subsequent rise in gas prices.
“If I had voted, I think things would have been very different, you see the level of popularity and love,” Trump said in an interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday. “But there’s something beyond that. They didn’t like the war. They didn’t like the fact that gas was going up because I was keeping gas low. There’s an incredible hatred for Israel.”
Trump’s comments highlight a major shift in American politics, where Israel once enjoyed bipartisan support and strong backing from Republican and Democratic presidents. However, the extent of US military and financial support for Israel frequently emerged as a political liability during the midterm elections.
Michigan Democratic Sen. Abdul El-Sayed may have been the most prominent critic of Israel during the campaign, but he wasn’t the only one. Even Vice President J.D. Vance has suggested that Republicans may now need to reconsider their once-enthusiastic support for Israel.
President Trump said he agreed with Vance’s position that the war with Iran contributed to the Republican Party’s defeat. However, he said he did not regret his decision to start the war. “We can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon. Historically, I think this is a very good decision. Is it a good decision for today and tomorrow? Maybe not. But you know, I have to choose what’s right for our country. If Iran had a nuclear weapon during my term, I would be criticized much worse than what’s happening now.”
The president also said other countries, including Israel, must also pay for the war.
“The countries we have protected will repay us for all the costs of our wars, because without us they don’t exist. Without us, there is no Israel,” Trump said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long presented himself as the leader best able to manage relations with the United States, and Trump in particular. But in just a few days, President Trump hinted that big changes could be coming.
“Democrats and Republicans are competing to see who can distance themselves more from us,” Israeli journalist Amir Tibon wrote in X. “And if we don’t act quickly, the new parliament will start curbing arms sales.” Tibon called for a new government that can begin “to repair the damage left by Prime Minister Netanyahu.”
On election day, President Trump said he would cut off $4 billion in annual aid to Israel this year, potentially cutting a key element of Israel’s security strategy. Days later, Prime Minister Netanyahu said the aid would shift to a “partnership,” but did not say whether Trump had informed him of the surprise announcement in advance.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday made a vague reference to changing U.S. and international perceptions of the country as he handed over the reins to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s rival, Gadi Eisenkot, to form the next government.
“The challenges facing the State of Israel are enormous. Some require urgent and immediate attention,” he said. “Iran will not let up for a second in its intrigues and threats. We must work to establish a diplomatic horizon for the region and the post-war era.”
