Clinton urges tougher US stance on Netanyahu ahead of elections

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, saying she opposes his policies and calling on the United States to take a tougher position towards him if he returns to power after the next elections.

In a television interview with MS NOW’s “Morning Joe”, Clinton said “I have said repeatedly I love Israel and I hate Netanyahu’s government and his policies. I love America, and I hate Trump’s government and policies. I think it’s bad, in the first case for Israel, what’s happening, and I think it’s really bad for the United States, what’s happening.” 

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She added that Netanyahu’s return to the premiership through the next elections would, in her view, require a “tougher” US position. She also said she believed Washington could work more effectively with a new Israeli government.

Clinton’s remarks come as political competition intensifies in Israel. Recent opinion polls show opposition parties continuing to lead Netanyahu’s bloc, while neither side is close to securing the parliamentary majority needed to form a government.

Netanyahu is seeking a new term, which would be his seventh as prime minister, despite continued signs in recent months that his governing coalition has been losing strength. This could increase his reliance on his allies to maintain his political position.

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