Clinton Urges Tough US Stance if Netanyahu Wins Re-election

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that Washington should adopt a "very tough stance" toward Israel if voters elect another government led by Benjamin Netanyahu in upcoming elections. Clinton made these remarks in an interview with "Morning Joe" on MS NOW, as reported by Mark Rod in Jewish Insider.

"If the Israelis want to vote for this again, I think the United States has to take a very tough position. I think we could work with a new government," Clinton said. She emphasized that the composition of the ruling coalition, not just the prime minister's identity, is crucial for U.S.-Israel relations.

Clinton specifically called on future Israeli authorities to firmly suppress settler violence in Judea and Samaria, warning that impunity for such acts endangers both Palestinian Arabs and Israeli society. She reiterated her support for Israel's security and existence, despite her strong disapproval of the current government, stating, "I love Israel and I hate the Netanyahu government and its policies."

She described the necessary U.S. approach as "tough love," characterized by neither rejection nor complete agreement, to facilitate peace. Clinton recalled past efforts by the Bill Clinton administration and her own initiatives to achieve Israeli-Palestinian agreements, noting that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat rejected proposals for a Palestinian state, and her own push for a settlement construction freeze did not yield breakthroughs.