Chris Christie plans to visit Israel as he 'wants to be president', Internet trolls him by saying 'don't hurry back'
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY: Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has stirred up social media by revealing his plans to visit Israel amidst the ongoing conflict with the Palestinian militant group, Hamas.
The move is seen by many as a strategic step in Christie's bid for the presidency, as per The Hill.
Tomorrow night, I'm leaving to go to Israel because I want to see for myself. I'll be meeting with Israeli officials and with survivors of the Hamas terrorist attack.
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) November 10, 2023
If you want to be president, you can't be afraid to go and see what's happening on the ground around the world. pic.twitter.com/l9PVaspIHv
Chris Christie stresses the importance of firsthand experience for presidential aspirants
Christie made an announcement about his upcoming departure on the virtual stage, sharing the news on the social media platform X.
"Tomorrow night, I'm leaving to go to Israel because I want to see for myself. I'll be meeting with Israeli officials and with survivors of the Hamas terrorist attack," he shared in a tweet.
The governor stressed the importance of firsthand experience for a presidential aspirant, stating, "If you want to be president, you can't be afraid to go and see what's happening on the ground around the world."
This move echoes Christie's unexpected visit to Ukraine in August, amid its conflict with Russia, where he engaged with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a post on X at the time, Christie asserted, "America has never moved forward by ignoring the rest of the world. We can't start now."
This pattern of international engagement seems to be a key component of Christie's political strategy.
Chris Christie's stance on Israel and the two-state solution
In a Thursday night interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Christie weighed in on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
When asked about the possibility of a two-state solution, Christie argued that discussions had to cease with the onset of the Hamas attack last month.
He pointed out, "[S]o, there was a cease-fire, that everybody's talking about now, before October 7th. It was Hamas that violated it."
In the latest Republican primary, Christie and his fellow Republicans unequivocally affirmed their support for Israel. Christie directly addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, assuring, "America is here, no matter what it is you need."
He also delved into his experience combating antisemitism, recalling his tenure leading New Jersey after the events of September 11, 2001, where he emphasized the importance of fostering positive relationships with both Muslim and Jewish communities.
Social media reactions to Chris Christie's Israel trip
Despite Christie's intentions, the online community greeted his announcement with skepticism and trolling.
One user on X remarked, "The actual President already did that," referencing President Biden's visit to Israel.
Another suggested, "Please stay there and then just stop tweeting," emphasizing a desire for Christie to focus on the situation rather than social media.
A third user criticized, "You're wasting your and the Israeli's time," indicating doubts over the impact of Christie's visit.
Another comment bluntly stated, "You will NEVER be President Christopher," questioning the political implications of his actions.
One more user advised, "Don’t hurry back," possibly indicating a lack of confidence in Christie's ability to contribute positively to the situation.