Published: 21 October 2022
Last updated: 5 March 2024
The former president complained US Jews don’t appreciate him. The White House called his comments ‘insulting’ and ‘antisemitic’.
Donald Trump has described himself as the least antisemitic person that you’ve ever seen in your entire life.
But his comments on Jews and Israel have frequently provoked concern. On Sunday, he wrote on his social media site, Truth Social, “No President has done more for Israel than I have. Somewhat surprisingly, however, our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative of this than the people of the Jewish faith, especially those living in the US. Those living in Israel, though, are a different story – Highest approval rating in the World, could easily be P.M.! U.S. Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel – Before it is too late!”
The comments prompted a sharp response from White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday.
"Donald Trump's comments were antisemitic, as you all know, and insulting both to Jews and our Israeli allies," Jean-Pierre told reporters.
But former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his old ally, saying Trump simply felt unappreciated for his unprecedent support of Israel.
"I think it reflects his frustration, which happens to many politicians when they feel they don't get all the credit they deserve for the things they did. By the way, I have to tell you, I'm not an exception. All of us belong to that," he said.
Netanyahu pointed out that Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, converted to Judaism, his son-in-law Jared Kushner is Jewish, and his grandchildren are being raised as Jews.
Trump’s posting came days after the right-wing Zionist Organisation of America announced that it would bestow an honour on Trump, listing his multiple initiatives that aligned US policy more with Israel’s hawks, including moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, cutting funding to the Palestinians, exiting the Iran deal and recognising Israel’s sovereignty in the Golan Heights.
