US Vice President Joe Biden chastised Donald Trump on Thursday for characterizing Hezbollah as “very smart,” despite the fact that the Lebanese militant group is exchanging fire with Israel in response to the Hamas attack on the US partner.
Trump falsely accused the Biden administration of funding the Hamas attack through a prisoner swap deal with Iran, which has consistently backed Hamas and Hezbollah, during a campaign address in Florida.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Biden stated that “our nation’s support for Israel is resolute and unwavering.” And there is never a good time to celebrate terrorists who wish to destroy them.”
Trump had made his remarks to supporters in West Palm Beach as he was criticizing the White House.
“You know, Hezbollah is very smart. They’re all very smart,’” Trump said.
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said Trump’s remarks were “dangerous and unhinged.”
Israel also reacted angrily, with Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi in a TV interview saying Trump could “obviously” not be trusted.
“It is shameful that such a person, a former president of the United States, aid propaganda and spreads comments that harm the spirit of IDF (army) fighters and the spirit of Israeli residents,” Karhi said.
“We don’t need to deal with him or with the nonsense he says.”
In a surprise attack from Gaza on Saturday, Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 people in Israel and seized approximately 150 captives. For six days, Israel replied by unleashing air and artillery assaults on Hamas sites in Gaza, killing roughly 1,350 people.
Recent skirmishes in the north with Hezbollah, including cross-border missiles and shelling, have challenged Israel’s defense.
Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who is running in a distant second place behind Trump in the Republican presidential nomination contest for 2024, also took aim at Trump.
“It is absurd that anyone, much less someone running for President, would choose now to attack our friend and ally, Israel, much less praise Hezbollah terrorists as ‘very smart,” he posted on X.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.