Trump Expresses Disappointment with Netanyahu over Soleimani Incident
In a recent interview with Time magazine, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his disappointment with former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The issue stemmed from an incident involving Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force.
Trump stated that he had a "bad experience" with Netanyahu related to Soleimani. He elaborated that Netanyahu "dropped out just before the attack," referring to the killing of Soleimani in January 2020. Trump believes this incident should not have happened under Netanyahu's leadership and expressed his belief that it has had a significant impact on the former Prime Minister.
Despite his criticism of Netanyahu, Trump responded positively to the possibility of working with former Israeli deputy prime minister Benny Gantz. However, he did not provide a definitive answer. This comes at a time when Netanyahu's approval ratings in Israel are reportedly low.
This is not the first time Trump has criticized Netanyahu. In October 2023, he accused Israel of an alleged intelligence failure during the killing of Soleimani. Additionally, Trump has voiced concerns over Israel's dwindling international backing due to its continued offensive in Gaza. He urged Israel to "finish up your war" in an interview with Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom.