Khaberni - U.S. President Donald Trump launched a sharp and unusual attack on Israeli President Isaac Herzog, while at the same time praising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In statements made during an interview with Channel 14 Hebrew, Trump described Herzog as a "weak and useless person," accusing him of using his constitutional powers for political purposes.
Trump noted that the pardon file is being used by Herzog as a bargaining chip against Netanyahu amidst internal political tensions and preparations for upcoming elections.
Conversely, the U.S. President expressed unconditional support for Netanyahu, wondering if there was another leader in Israel capable of achieving what he described as the "accomplishments" of the Prime Minister, before answering in the negative himself.
Trump also attacked media reports talking about tension in the relations between Washington and Tel Aviv, and directly criticized journalist Barak Ravid, describing what he published about the presence of political disagreements as "an absolute lie and fake news at a primary school level."
Trump confirmed in conclusion of his statements that the relations between the United States and Israel "have never been better than they are now," in an attempt to deny any talk of fractures within the alliance between Tel Aviv and Washington.
These debates come against a backdrop of unprecedented political tension between Herzog and Trump, following Herzog's refusal to issue a pardon for Netanyahu in the criminal cases he faces.
Herzog emphasized during a visit to a site of an Iranian missile strike last week that "Israel's dignity and sovereignty are not up for negotiation," considering the external pressures regarding the pardon file as an infringement on the symbols of governance and the independence of decision-making in the country.
Netanyahu is the first Prime Minister in the history of Israel facing corruption charges while in office, while Israeli law grants the head of state the power to pardon, but with no precedents of issuing it during ongoing trials.
