NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump on Saturday praised Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and called him a “warrior prime minister” amid reports of a serious fallout between the two leaders over Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
Speaking after unveiling a replacement Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar near Washington, Trump said that the US and Israel “fought very well” against Iran, referring to the war that they launched on February 28.
“Obviously we fought very well with Israel, and we’ve had a great relationship with Israel. We were very formidable. And Bibi (Benjamin) Netanyahu, he’s a warrior prime minister, and he should be acknowledged as that. They should give him credit,” he said as the Israeli premier faced intense political pressure to continue waging his country’s war in Lebanon.
In a separate interview, Trump said he maintains a strong but closely managed relationship with Netanyahu.
“It’s good, but we have to keep him a little bit sane,” he told the Axios news outlet.
When asked whether he could influence Israeli military actions in the region, particularly regarding potential strikes on Lebanon, he said he would be able to exercise control over such decisions.
“Yeah, I will be. I mean, they have a lot of respect for me, and they do as I say,” Trump said.
Trump had earlier expressed frustration at Israel’s campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon despite a deal with Tehran to end the war. He had also unleashed a profane tirade at Netanyahu over a phone call earlier this month.
