"Netanyahu Needs to Be More Rational," Trump Says in Direct Rebuke

[Financial News]"Bibi, Netanyahu's nickname, needs to be a little more rational."U.S. President Donald Trump directly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with an Israeli media outlet. He also shared the article on his own social media account.
According to the article Trump shared on the 20th local time, he said he was "most likely to support Prime Minister Netanyahu," while also mentioning rival former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and lawmaker Gadi Eisenkot. The headline read, "Netanyahu's shaky reelection chances: Trump holds the cards."
The reelection mentioned in the headline refers to Israel's general election scheduled for October. In this regard, Trump was also reported to have said, "If it weren't for me, he would be in prison." The remark is seen as a reference to Trump's political backing for Netanyahu, who is on trial over corruption allegations. Netanyahu is currently indicted in three criminal cases on corruption charges. His trial, which had been temporarily suspended because of the war, resumed in April.
Analysts say Trump has intensified the pressure as tensions rose after Israeli strikes on Lebanon before and after the signing of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire memorandum of understanding. Earlier, Israel bombed Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, the pro-Iranian armed group, while ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran were still under way.
Israel continued its airstrikes on Lebanon even after the United States and Iran signed the ceasefire memorandum of understanding. Iran abruptly canceled the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key provision of the ceasefire deal, on the 20th, citing Israel's strikes on Lebanon.
Meanwhile, voices inside and outside Israel are saying that Netanyahu may be insisting on continuing the war because of his corruption trial. In fact, Netanyahu has delayed his corruption trial, citing security concerns. That is why some expect legal action against him to move faster once the war ends.
kjh0109@fnnews.com Kwon Jun-ho Reporter