DeSantis Campaign Press Release - Faith Leaders Supporting Ron DeSantis Condemn Trump Comments Praising Hezbollah and Criticizing of Israel

Tallahassee, FL - Faith leaders from across the country supporting Ron DeSantis are speaking out today to condemn Donald Trump's comments praising Hezbollah and criticizing Israel.

"America has always been a nation that stands with and blesses Israel with our actions and words. God said of Israel in Genesis 12:3, 'And I will bless those who bless you.' The former President's criticisms of Israel's IDF and its country's leadership at a time like this are revealing, shocking, and very concerning." – Pastor Joseph Brown, Marion Baptist Church (Washington, Iowa)

"This is another one in a long line of the former president's moral equivocations regarding enemies of America and our allies. The fundamental problem is his lack of a coherent and truth based worldview. In the same speech, he praised Chairman Xi and chided Israeli leaders, while giving rhetorical air support to an Iranian backed terrorist organization. The Bible says we're to know the signs of the times and it seems like our former president doesn't understand that." – Matt Wells, Lay Leader, Marion Baptist Church (Washington, Iowa)

"In the midst of barbaric acts of evil, the former president opted to see admirable qualities in our enemy while exercising a personal grudge against the leader of our great ally. Times such as these demand selfless, visionary leadership, not self-centered, capitulating vanity." – Cole Muzio, Frontline Policy Center (Atlanta, Georgia)

"Israel's darkest hour of our lifetime is upon us. As a nation founded on Judeo-Christian values, we must project a unified message to the barbaric leaders of Hamas. Trump's disparaging comments about PM Netanyahu are damaging and must be condemned. Our Lord said, "a house divided against itself cannot stand." I praise Gov. DeSantis for providing the necessary leadership on a world stage that otherwise would be void." – Pastor Mark Doland, Church of Christ (Toledo, Iowa)

"I strongly condemn any expression of support or praise for organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas that have been involved in violence, evil, and destabilization in the Middle East. It is crucial to maintain a strong relationship with our ally Israel, to find lasting solutions to the complex challenges in the region. The fact that a former President would speak in such a manner regarding our closest ally is disturbing and should be condemned. The Jewish people are the people of God and need our support. We need leaders like Ron DeSantis who will unequivocally stand with Israel." – Pastor Seth Wilkins, Grace Baptist Church (Orangeburg, South Carolina)

"This is a time for unity in standing with Israel as it mourns and prepares to do battle with the perpetrators of a heinous crime against humanity." – Tevi Troy, Bestselling Author, Former Deputy Secretary of HHS, & Former White House Jewish Liaison

"The comments by former President Trump are inappropriate and wrong. His critical remarks do nothing to support our most trusted ally and friend in its greatest time of need. Praising the same barbarians who deny Israel the right to even exist, and who are attacking Israel as we speak, is dangerous and only legitimizes these terrorists' organizations in the eyes of the world." – Jay S. Zeidman, Managing Partner of Altitude Ventures

"When leaders choose to enact evil upon others, it should never be called smart. Real leaders condemn evil, leaving no room for rationalizations. The dangers and atrocities in our world today call for the clear, smart, moral leadership of Governor Desantis. I'm disappointed Former President Trump hasn't figured that out yet." – Pastor & Representative Jon Dunwell (Newton, Iowa)

To join Ron DeSantis' Faith and Freedom Coalition or learn more, click here.