Hillary Clinton Reveals Netanyahu's Obsession with Attacking Iran and Saudi Normalisation

Former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has offered a sharp assessment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership style. In a recent interview, Clinton stated that Netanyahu has a long-term obsession with attacking Iran and normalising relations with Saudi Arabia. Speaking to The New Yorker editor David Remnick at The New Yorker Radio Hour in New York City on Thursday (18/6), Clinton recalled her tenure as Secretary of State from 2009 to 2012. She described Netanyahu as persistently urging the US to support a military strike against Tehran. Clinton revealed that during that period, the issue of attacking Iran was a recurring topic in her communications with the Israeli government. She specifically remembered lengthy telephone conversations with Netanyahu and then-Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak. “They would say things like, ‘Our planes are already on the runway.’ And I would reply, ‘Well, good luck. I mean, okay, but why are you doing this?’” Clinton recounted. When Remnick suggested that Israel appeared to be ‘toying’ with the US as a major benefactor ally, Clinton responded firmly, “Always. Of course.” Clinton added that the same approach was evident in Netanyahu’s relationship with former President Donald Trump. She assessed that Netanyahu successfully pushed Trump into a conflict with Iran that ended in a strategic defeat for the United States. “The United States came out in a weaker position, while Iran came out in a stronger position,” Clinton said, referring to the conflict dynamics under the Trump administration. Regarding the Middle East situation, Clinton views the latest agreement or memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran as a clear defeat for Netanyahu. She concluded that Netanyahu’s strategy of relying on conflict to maintain power may soon reach a saturation point. “I think this Iran deal might be the final straw that breaks that, and creates an opportunity for his departure in the upcoming elections,” Clinton concluded.