Nothing to say: Benjamin Netanyahu’s muted response to anti-Semitism in Charlottesville draws scorn in Israel
Israeli prime minister had a testy relationship with Obama, a Democrat who often pressured him over settlement building, but he has repeatedly praised Trump
Criticism is growing over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s limited response to a US white supremacist rally and US President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about it, with calls for him to speak out against anti-Semitism.
The issue highlighted Netanyahu’s reluctance to be seen as criticising Trump, who has expressed strong support for Israel and whose rise to the presidency was welcomed by the premier, some analysts said.
Netanyahu regularly speaks out against anti-Semitism in other countries, but the US is Israel’s most important ally, providing it with more than US$3 billion per year in defence aid and important diplomatic backing.
Netanyahu had a testy relationship with Barack Obama, a Democrat who often pressured him over Israeli settlement building, but he has repeatedly praised Republican Trump.
So far, Netanyahu’s only response to the weekend white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia that ended in bloodshed was a tweet on Tuesday that many saw as vague.
“Outraged by expressions of anti-Semitism, neo-Nazism and racism. Everyone should oppose this hatred,” Netanyahu posted.
Was it too trivial, an anti-Semitic march in Charlottesville with Third Reich memorabilia?