Former US President Donald Trump praised his closeness to Benjamin Netanyahu as he hosted the Israeli prime minister on Friday (26/7) and accused US Vice President Kamala Harris of making “disrespectful” comments about the Gaza war.
Netanyahu met Trump, the Republican nominee, a day after he held talks with Democratic President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who will face Trump in the US presidential election on November 5.
Trump welcomed Netanyahu and his wife Sara to Mar-a-Lago, his Florida resort, while sharply criticizing Harris. The US vice president had earlier voiced concern after meeting with the Israeli leader about the Palestinian civilian death toll from Israel's nine-month-long offensive in Gaza.
“I thought it was disrespectful,” Trump said.
He warned of dire consequences for the Middle East if he was not re-elected.
“We have incompetent people running our country,” Trump said while sitting across from Netanyahu.
“If we win, it will be very easy. Everything will go very smoothly, very quickly,” Trump said. “If we don't, you could end up with a major war in the Middle East and possibly World War III.”
Netanyahu has a much closer relationship with Trump than with Biden. He has clashed with the current administration over a number of issues, including civilian casualties in Gaza and the pace of U.S. arms deliveries to Israel.
In his speech to Congress, Netanyahu praised both Biden and Trump, but he specifically praised the controversial actions taken by the former president during his tenure.
“I… want to thank President Trump for everything he has done for Israel. From recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, to confronting Iranian aggression, to recognizing Jerusalem as our capital and moving the American embassy there,” Netanyahu said.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu also said he hoped his visit to the US would result in a quicker ceasefire agreement.
“I hope so. But I think time will tell,” he told reporters, adding that he saw some movement toward a ceasefire due to Israeli military pressure.
Netanyahu previously angered Trump by congratulating Joe Biden on his victory in the 2020 election. Trump falsely claimed the election was rigged.
Trump also recently blamed Netanyahu for Israeli security failures that allowed Hamas to launch an attack on October 7, which then triggered Israel's assault on Gaza.
Trump dismissed suggestions of tensions with Netanyahu.
“We have a very good relationship,” he said, noting several policy changes during his presidency, including moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and withdrawing from the international nuclear deal with Iran. (ah)
