President Donald Trump said without him, there “would be no Israel.”
Trump said those words Tuesday at the G7 in Évian-les-Bains, France.
This comment marked one of his most pointed criticism toward Israel 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.
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Trump has been frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuas Israel has struck Lebanon in an effort to target the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah despite the ongoing peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Netanyahu said Monday Israel will keep its troops in Lebanon despite the preliminary deal.
“The struggle has not ended,” he said.
“I want to make clear: We will remain in the security zones as long as required in order to defend our country,” Netanyahu added.
Israel conducted an airstrike in a suburb of Beirut on Sunday as Trump announced a deal with Iran would be signed that day.
The Israeli military said the strike was in response to the militant group firing three projectiles into northern Israel.
Trump was not happy with Netanyahu as evidenced an interview with Axios after 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.”