Trump says Netanyahu victory is ‘good for peace’
With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set to form another governing coalition, winning re-election on Tuesday, world leaders began to offer their congratulations.
U.S. President Donald Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at United Nations headquarters in New York on Sept. 26, 2018. Photo by Avi Ohayon/GPO.
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday morning that while the results have yet to be final, “It looks like Bibi has won that race … I think we’ll see some pretty good action in terms of peace.”
The Trump administration has indicated that it is likely to release its long-anticipated peace plan following the completion of Israel’s elections.
“I think we’re going to see that coming out in the very near future,” National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Wednesday.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has forged close ties with Netanyahu and who in 2017 became the first sitting Indian prime minister to visit the Jewish state, was one of the first world leaders to congratulate the Israeli leader.
“My dear friend Bibi, Congratulations! You are a great friend of India, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to take our bilateral partnership to new heights. @netanyahu,” tweeted Modi.
My dear friend Bibi, Congratulations! You are a great friend of India, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to take our bilateral partnership to new heights. @netanyahu
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 10, 2019
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who has quickly become a staunch defender of Israel and opponent of antisemitism in Europe, also weighed in on the results.
“Congratulations to Prime Minister @netanyahu for an excellent showing in yesterday’s national elections. While the official results have yet not been published, one matter is clear: you have—once again—gained the trust of the people of #Israel in record numbers,” tweeted Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
“I am looking forward to working with you in the future, for the benefit of the people of Israel and the people of Austria,” he subsequently tweeted.
I am looking forward to working with you in the future, for the benefit of the people of Israel and the people of Austria.
— Sebastian Kurz (@sebastiankurz) April 10, 2019
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini tweeted, “Good job to my friend Bibi Netanyahu and a hug to the people of Israel.”
Buon lavoro all’amico Bibi #Netanyahu e un abbraccio al popolo di #Israele.????????????????pic.twitter.com/CBENwHFwjT
— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) April 10, 2019
Nevertheless, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, whose country has had frosty ties with Israel during Netanyahu’s tenure, urged the country to abandon strong “rhetoric and populism” now that elections are over.
Cavusoglu told Turkey’s NTV news channel on Wednesday that Israel “must put aside the populism and the rhetoric; it must abandon its aggressive stance.”
JNS
