US President Donald Trump has said Israel depends heavily on the United States and his leadership, insisting that “without me, there would be no Israel”.
Trump made the remarks on Tuesday during the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv over the Iran conflict and efforts to maintain a ceasefire in the region.
On Sunday, the US and Iran announced a deal to end the Middle East war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
However, on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would maintain its military presence in Lebanon despite the agreement.
“I want to make clear: We will remain in the security zones as long as required in order to defend our country,” Netanyahu said, adding that “the struggle has not ended”.
Shortly after the ceasefire announcement involving Iran, Israel carried out an air strike in a suburb of Beirut.
The US president said he was frustrated with Netanyahu’s actions, accusing him of undermining diplomatic efforts.
Speaking further in France, Trump argued that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah has lasted too long and resulted in excessive loss of life.
“You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody, because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses, and they’re not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you,” the US president said.
“And I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah because, to be honest with you, I think they’re doing a better job of doing it.
“Without us, without the United States, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel, because no other president was willing to do what I did. I’ve had a great relationship with Bibi, but now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.”
Trump also said Israel should have achieved its military objectives more quickly, warning that the prolonged conflict could undermine the wider peace deal with Iran.