US President acknowledges decline in Israel's influence: biggest shift in Washington "in a quarter century"

Washington – Agencies: U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged the decline in the strength of the pro-Israel lobbying groups in the United States. For decades, successive U.S. administrations have provided military and political support to Israel, which occupies Palestine and territories in neighboring Lebanon and Syria. In an interview with conservative American journalist Wayne Allen Root on the “Real America’s Voice” television network, Trump said, “The biggest change I’ve seen is what has happened to Israel and the Jewish people.” He added, “They had a very strong lobby 20 or 25 years ago; they had the strongest lobby in Washington,” referring to its diminished influence. He spoke of the lobby’s waning power in Congress, stating, “Now, as you know, everyone, particularly large numbers of them, are not supportive of Israel. If you look at the House of Representatives, you’ll find that Democrats are in control.” He continued, “Look at people like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. He has become almost Palestinian. It’s truly amazing; I’ve never seen anything like this before.” Trump has previously spoken more than once about the declining strength of the pro-Israel lobby in the United States. Recent U.S. elections have highlighted the rise of figures opposing Israeli policies and unconditional American support for them. Numerous American voices are also speaking out against the interference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the largest lobbying group, in U.S. domestic politics. There is widespread official and public anger around the world against Israel due to the genocide it is committing, with U.S. backing, against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since October 8, 2023. The genocide has resulted in more than 73,000 Palestinian martyrs and over 174,000 injured, most of them children and women, and destruction affecting 90% of the infrastructure, with the United Nations estimating the cost of reconstruction at approximately $70 billion.