MAGA is turning on Israel over Gaza, but Trump is unmoved
Source: Politico
MAGA is turning on Israel over Gaza, but Trump is unmoved
Prominent MAGA influencers have stepped up their criticism of Israel.
By Eric Bazail-Eimil, Connor O'Brien and Jake Traylor
07/29/2025 07:19 PM EDT
President Donald Trump and Republicans on Capitol Hill are keeping their criticism of Israel for its conduct in the Gaza Strip measured — even as they faced loud pressure from the MAGA base to rethink their support for Israel amid the worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
The cautious approach from the White House and senior Republicans reflects the ascendance of a loud wing of the president’s base that has sharply criticized Israel. Those figures are clashing with more traditional Republicans, who view the bilateral relationship with Israel as sacrosanct and often refrain from criticizing the Middle East ally.
But the balancing act is occurring as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip reaches its nadir after two years of war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Sixty thousand people have died in Gaza since war broke out in October 2023, as aid groups have warned the territory is experiencing a famine and thousands of children may die of starvation in the coming weeks.
Aboard Air Force One today, Trump told reporters that he doesn’t yet want to pressure Israel to come up with a longer-term solution to the conflict because “you could make the case that you’re rewarding Hamas if you do that.”
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Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/29/maga-is-turning-on-israel-over-gaza-but-trump-is-unmoved-00482891