‘I guess I am, too’: Trump calls Netanyahu ‘war hero’
US President Donald Trump has praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war hero”, even though the Israeli leader is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes in Gaza.
“He’s a good man. He’s in there fighting … He’s a war hero, because we worked together. He’s a war hero. I guess I am, too,” Trump said in an interview with conservative radio host Mark Levin.
Trump dismissed efforts to hold Netanyahu accountable, claiming “they’re trying to put him in jail”.
It was unclear if he was referring to the ICC warrant or Netanyahu’s domestic corruption cases. In June, Trump openly called for Netanyahu’s corruption trial to be dismissed.
Trump also said he “worked hard” to secure the release of Israeli captives in past negotiations with the Palestinian group Hamas, adding: “I’m the one that got all the hostages back … I’ve had so many letters from parents and from the kids themselves and the people that got out … none of these people would have been back, but I got them back.”
58 percent of US citizens support Palestinian state: Poll
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll has suggested that 58 percent of US citizens believe that every country in the United Nations should recognise a Palestinian state.
The six-day poll, which concluded on Monday, found that a similar number of respondents – 59 percent – believed Israel’s military actions in Gaza were excessive, while nearly two-thirds – 65 percent – supported US action in Gaza to help Palestinians facing starvation.
The poll was taken within weeks of announcements by the UK, France and Canada that they intend to recognise a Palestinian state.
