Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu once had a tight relationship — but then President Joe Biden became president of the United States.
Since the attack on Israel, the two leaders began communicating about Hamas and the next steps for a response.
Biden and Netanyahu have shared a diplomatic relationship for the better part of four decades and the praise from the latter may have aggravated Trump.
Trump's former adviser and now-presidential opponent Nikki Haley told NBC News: “He’s pissed off because Bibi praised Biden and the Biden White House for being supportive.”
In the days following the attack, the ex-president insulted the leader for trying to steal credit from him for an assassination plot against Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian military official. He then claimed that Israel pulled out of the joint operation at the last minute.
Appearing on "Face the Nation" Sunday, retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the former commander of U.S. Central Command, called Trump's comments false. Saying the Soleimani mission "was a U.S. operation. It involved only U.S. forces."
He also called the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah “very smart," during a speech in West Palm Beach. It added to the anger from both the GOP and the White House. As for the insults against Netanyahu, it drew criticisms from Trump's allies about blasting the leader of a country that had just been attacked and making it about himself.
Now it appears that Trump and his campaign are backing down in a big way.
While apologists claimed Trump was taken out of context, his 2024 campaign released a statement from the former president.
“There was no better friend or ally of Israel than President Donald J Trump,” the release says. “Under my leadership, the United States stood in complete solidarity with Israel, and as a result, Israel was safe, America was safe, and for the first time in decades, we made historic strides for Peace in the Middle East.”
He then began posting supportive messages on his personal social media site, "#IStandWithIsrael #IStandWithBibi.”
Then he celebrated the work of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).
“I have always been impressed by the skill and determination of the Israeli Defence Forces," he posted. "As they defend their Nation against ruthless terrorists, I want to wish every soldier the best of luck. May you return home safely to your families, and may God bless you all!”