Former President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration for Hamas’ recent violent attacks on Israel, claiming that these events would not have happened if he were in the White House. He declared during a New Hampshire campaign event, “The atrocities we are witnessing in Israel would never have happened if I was president.” Trump also accused President Joe Biden of betraying Israel.

During a significant Jewish holiday, Hamas militants, with ties to Iran, carried out a deadly attack on Israel, resulting in over 1,900 Israeli casualties and over a hundred hostages taken in Gaza. This attack also claimed the lives of at least 14 American citizens.

Trump and other Republicans criticized the Biden administration for transferring $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds during negotiations for the release of five detained American citizens. Trump described Biden as “incompetent” and contrasted his own achievements in the Middle East, highlighting the Abraham Accords that brought peace to the region.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley criticized Secretary of State Antony Blinken for his comments on the Iran funds. She argued that it was irresponsible to claim that the unfrozen funds wouldn’t affect the situation and warned of Iran’s potential nefarious use of these funds, given their hostile stance towards Israel and the U.S. She also condemned the overall foreign policy of the Biden administration in the Middle East, including their actions in Afghanistan and sanctions relief for Iran, asserting that such actions funded hate.