Netanyahu to ministers: Remain silent on US elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his Cabinet ministers to remain silent on the US elections, an Israeli official said.

Netanyahu has reportedly told his ministers to refrain from giving any analysis or granting interviews about the choice between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and her Republican rival Donald Trump.

The quoted official spoke Monday on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter on record.

Netanyahu is seeking to ensure that his government is not perceived as favoring one of the candidates, and to refrain from possible allegations of Israel’s meddling in the American democratic process.

In 2012, Netanyahu was accused of siding with Republican candidate Mitt Romney. He has since been careful to refrain from appearing to favor one candidate over the other.

He has good relationships with both candidates, and recently met them both in New York during his September visit to the US.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said Israel’s ties with the US will remain strong and will even improve, regardless of who is elected, and that he expects the next president to push for direct negotiations with the Palestinians rather than external intervention and international pressure.

By: World Israel News Staff
AP contributed to this report.

Hillary ClintonNetanyahuUS 2016 elections