President Trump said on Tuesday that there “would be no Israel” without him, marking some of his most pointed criticism toward the country amid its ongoing attacks on Lebanon.
“Without the US, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did. I have had a great relationship with Bibi. Now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon,” Trump said, speaking at the G7 in Évian-les-Bains, France.
Trump’s frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu have risen amid Israel’s insistence on striking Lebanon in an effort to target the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah despite the ongoing peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
The prime minister said on Monday that Israel will keep its troops in Lebanon despite the preliminary deal, noting “the struggle has not ended.”
“I want to make clear: We will remain in the security zones as long as required in order to defend our country,” the prime minister said.
Israel conducted an airstrike in a suburb of Beirut on Sunday as Trump announced a deal with Iran would be signed electronically that day. The Israeli military said the strike was in response to the militant group firing three projectiles into northern Israel.
Trump lashed out at Netanyahu in an interview with Axios following the strike.
“Why did Bibi have to do a f‑‑‑ing attack?” Trump told the outlet on Sunday. “I was so p‑‑‑ed off. I let him know. He has no f‑‑‑ing judgment. I let him know that.”
