"I'm Saving Your Ass." Trump Cursed at Netanyahu Over Intent to Attack Beirut
"You're a damn lunatic. You'd be in jail if it weren't for me."
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
The US President sharply criticized the Israeli Prime Minister, using expletives, over the latter's intention to attack Beirut. This happened during a telephone conversation between the politicians on the evening of June 1, Axios reports.
The reason for Trump's outrage was the IDF's order to strike "terrorist targets" in Beirut, issued on the morning of June 1 by Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. This occurred amidst intensified shelling of northern Israel by "Hezbollah". Israeli authorities called this a violation of the ceasefire.
In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Iran announced that it was halting negotiations with Washington and fully blocking the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House chief called the Israeli prime minister "crazy."
"You're a damn lunatic. You'd be in jail if it weren't for me. I'm saving your ass. Now everyone hates you. Everyone hates Israel because of this," Trump reportedly said, according to Axios sources.
The Israeli Prime Minister stated that the IDF continues its operation in southern Lebanon.
"Tonight I spoke with President Trump and told him that if Hezbollah does not stop its attacks on our cities and citizens, Israel will strike terrorist targets in Beirut," Netanyahu noted.