'No Israel without me': Trump criticizes Netanyahu at G7 Summit
What's the story
US President Donald Trump said during a meeting with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the G7 Summit that "without me" or the US, "there would be no Israel." He said he has had a great relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "but now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon." "Lebanon...was a country....Now it's just terrible. I'm not happy with the way Israel has handled itself with Lebanon and Hezbollah."
Deal
'Obama was on the side of Iran, not Israel'
He said Israel would have been blown up a long time ago had he not gotten involved. Defending the new deal with Tehran, he said, "This deal is a wall to a nuclear weapon. His (Barack Obama's) deal was a road to nuclear weapon." "Bibi came to Washington and begged, he begged Obama not to make that deal. And Obama was on the side of Iran, not Israel. And he made the deal. I terminated that deal."
Hezbollah
Trump criticized Israel's conduct in fight against Hezbollah
Trump criticized Israel's conduct in its fight against Hezbollah and suggested that Syria should take over the fight against the Iran-backed terror group. He said the fighting with Hezbollah has been going on for "too long." Alluding to the impact on civilians of Israel's attacks on Lebanon, he said, "You don't have to knock down an apartment house every time you're looking for somebody because there are...lot of people in those apartment houses -- and they're not all Hezbollah."
Continued support
Netanyahu says Israel won't leave Lebanon
Trump's criticism of Netanyahu came after the PM vowed to continue Israel's occupations of Lebanese and Syrian territory, despite the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who first announced the deal on Sunday, said a memorandum of understanding would include "the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon."
Diplomatic praise
Qatar welcomes US-Iran deal
During the meeting with the Emir, Trump expressed optimism about the US-Iran agreement, calling it "fair" and "good." Qatar's Emir welcomed the US-Iran agreement, saying it would have positive effects across the Middle East. He thanked Trump for his leadership during this critical time and expressed hope that continued momentum could lead to great achievements in the region. Trump praised Qatar's diplomatic efforts and strategic location near Iran, saying he was "very, very impressed" with how they handled things.