NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 17 — US President Donald Trump has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, accusing the Jewish state of “mistreating” its northern neighbour and urging the Israeli leader to exercise greater responsibility.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France on Tuesday, Trump said he was dissatisfied with Israel’s handling of Lebanon and its confrontation with Hezbollah despite maintaining what he described as a strong personal relationship with Netanyahu.
“Now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon,” Trump said, referring to the Israeli Prime Minister by his nickname.
Trump painted a bleak picture of modern-day Lebanon, lamenting what he described as the country’s decline from a regional intellectual and professional hub.
“Lebanon used to be a great country. It was a country where you had professors, doctors, lawyers. The great intellect was in Lebanon,” he said.
“Now it’s terrible. I would say of all countries, they’ve been treated the worst. And they can’t defend themselves.”
The remarks marked a rare public rebuke of Netanyahu by Trump, who has long portrayed himself as one of Israel’s strongest allies in Washington.
Trump nevertheless reiterated his support for Israel and highlighted decisions he made during his presidency that he said strengthened the country’s security and international standing.
“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,” he said.
Trump warned Israel’s survival depended on his intervention, arguing that previous US administrations had failed to provide similar levels of support.
“Israel would have been blown up a long time ago had I not gotten involved,” Trump said.
Despite expressing frustration with Israel’s conduct in Lebanon, Trump emphasized that his relationship with Netanyahu remained intact.
“I’ve had a great relationship with Bibi,” he said, before repeating that he was unhappy with Israel’s approach toward Lebanon and Hezbollah.
Lebanon and Israel have experienced recurring cross-border tensions involving Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group and political movement that operates from southern Lebanon. The hostilities have intensified periodically amid broader regional conflicts, drawing international concern over the risk of a wider Middle East confrontation.
Trump’s comments come at a time of heightened scrutiny over Israel’s military operations in the region and growing calls for restraint to prevent further escalation along the Israel-Lebanon border.
