Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied today he had harmed relations with Mexico when he tweeted support for Donald Trump's planned border wall, accusing the "leftist media" of "Bolshevik" attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied today he had harmed relations with Mexico when he tweeted support for Donald Trump's planned border wall, accusing the "leftist media" of "Bolshevik" attacks.
Israel built a more than 240-kilometre (150-mile) barrier along its border with Egypt, a route previously taken by many African illegal migrants and traffickers.
Trump hailed the Israeli wall as an example last week, prompting Netanyahu to express his support for the new US president's plans to build a wall along the Mexican border.
"President Trump is right. I built a wall along Israel's southern border. It stopped all illegal immigration. Great success. Great idea," Netanyahu tweeted yesterday.
The comments angered Mexican officials, with the Mexican foreign ministry expressing Saturday its "deep surprise, disapproval and disappointment" over Netanyahu's statement.
Today, Mexico called on Netanyahu to apologise.
"We are expecting a clarification, a rectification. I think that an apology would be something appropriate in this case," Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said.
Referring to critics in the media, Netanyahu said: "They say 'you've hurt Mexico, you've ruined the relationship with them.' Who even referred to Mexico? We've had a good relationship with them and we will keep on having one." The Israeli leader, speaking at a meeting of his rightwing Likud party, accused the media of overplaying the dispute, failing to focus on the "fantastic success" of the fence built in southern Israel to prevent migrants and spreading "fake news".
"I am not surprised. The leftwing media is on a Bolshevik hunting trip, brainwashing and character-assassination against me and my family," he said.
Since the end of 2016, Netanyahu has been the subject of two police investigations regarding luxury gifts he and his family are alleged to have received and the other concerning meeting with the head of a prominent newspaper to try to negotiate better coverage.
He denies any wrongdoing.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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