Former US President Bill Clinton urged Donald Trump to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and Iran, warning that further violence could trigger a broader regional crisis and cost more innocent lives. Bill Clinton criticised Benjamin Netanyahu and accused the Israeli Prime Minister of fueling tensions with Iran for political survival.
“Mr. Netanyahu has long wanted to fight Iran because that way he can stay in office forever and ever. I mean, he’s been there most of the last 20 years,” Bill Clinton said.
He added, “But I think we should be trying to defuse it, and I hope President Trump will do that.”
Bill Clinton expressed doubt about both Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s intentions for peace in the Middle East. He said that Israel had no interest in a Palestinian state and accused Donald Trump of sharing that position.
“They’re not talking about negotiating peace… the Israelis have no intention under Prime Minister Netanyahu of giving the Palestinians a state. And now they’re too divided and crushed to organize themselves to achieve it,” Clinton said.
Bill Clinton emphasised the importance of protecting allies but warned against entering “undeclared wars” where civilians pay the price. “Choosing undeclared wars in which the primary victims are civilians… is not a very good solution,” he said. While acknowledging the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, he stressed that this should not come at the cost of innocent lives.
He said, “We don’t have to have all this outright constant killing of civilians who can’t defend themselves… they just want a chance to live.”