Israeli Minister Says He Would Vote for Trump Over Biden in US Election

Amichai Chikli, Israel's Diaspora Affairs Minister, ignited controversy by stating that if he had the right to vote in the United States presidential election, he would cast his ballot for former President Donald Trump over the current president, Joe Biden. Chikli, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, expressed concerns about what he perceives as a lack of strength in U.S. direction under Biden.

The minister's comments came shortly after the U.S. Senate approved a $14 billion military aid package to Israel. Despite acknowledging Biden as a friend of Israel, Chikli criticized the president, asserting that he is under intense pressure that is affecting him and "creating real damage" to relations between the two countries. He claimed that the Biden administration is not allowing Israel to operate as it would like in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip, implying that the current U.S. administration is impeding Israel's military operations in the region.

Chikli's remarks have drawn sharp criticism from former Israeli ambassador Michael Oren, who described them as "harmful to Israel's security, the US relationship with American Jews and ungrateful for the financial, strategic, and diplomatic assistance which Israel has recently received from the United States." The minister's statements also follow recent tensions between the U.S. and Israel amid Israel's war on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023.

Why this matters: Chikli's comments underscore the complex and sometimes strained relationship between the United States and Israel, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The minister's preference for Trump over Biden highlights the differing approaches and policies of the two administrations towards Israel and the Middle East region.

In response to Chikli's statements, Netanyahu also criticized U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's call for elections in Israel as "totally inappropriate." The prime minister's reaction further emphasizes the delicate nature of the U.S.-Israel relationship and the potential for diplomatic tensions. As the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, with a staggering loss of Palestinian lives, the international community will be closely watching how the U.S. and Israel navigate their alliance and address the ongoing crisis.

Key Takeaways

• Israeli minister Chikli expressed support for Trump over Biden, criticizing Biden's leadership.
• Chikli's comments drew criticism for being harmful to Israel-US relations and ungrateful.
• Tensions between US and Israel amid Israel's war on Gaza, resulting in 34,000 Palestinian deaths.
• Netanyahu criticized Schumer's call for elections in Israel as "totally inappropriate".
• The US-Israel relationship remains delicate as the Gaza crisis continues to escalate.