Trump Tells Hamas to 'Move Quickly,' Forgetting About His Own Record
Donald Trump, now playing the role of international peace envoy, has reportedly told Hamas to 'move quickly' on a hostage deal during a pause in Israeli bombardment. This comes from the Financial Times, which fails to note the sheer chutzpah of a former president lecturing 'speed' to anyone while his Republican party faithfully rubber-stamps billions in unconditional aid to the very government
conducting the bombardment. (Perhaps 'swift' action is only required from one side?) Trump himself oversaw military aid packages to Israel totaling over $10 billion annually during his presidency, money that lubricates the very engine of conflict he now, conveniently, wants to conclude. One might wonder if Mr. Trump's sudden embrace of diplomatic urgency extends to the $3.8 billion in annual
military assistance his administration continued to send Israel through 2020. The speed with which that money landed in Israeli coffers, often without critical human rights conditions, certainly outpaced any 'quick' hostage negotiations. It seems 'moving quickly' is a directive only for those on the receiving end of a global superpower's strategic interests, never for those funding them.