Liberman Says Trump Prefers Netanyahu to Preserve Influence Over Israel

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman alleged on Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump wants Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remain in office because he finds it convenient to influence Israeli decisions through him. The opposition lawmaker's criticism followed Trump's expression of support for Netanyahu. Liberman also reiterated his pledge to make universal military recruitment the first law he would seek to pass in the next government. He said the legislation should apply to everyone, with neither exemptions nor recruitment targets.