Saban: Hillary Clinton is ideal candidate for Israel
Billionaire philanthropist and media mogul speaks to 'Post' in preview of interview to be published in full as part of the paper’s annual ranking of Top 50 most influential Jews in the world.
By NOA AMOUYALHaim Saban(photo credit: REUTERS)
A United States led by Hillary Clinton would be “great” for Israel, Haim Saban said in an exclusive interview with The Jerusalem Post. In the interview, which will be published as part of the newspaper’s annual ranking of the Top 50 most influential Jews in the world, Saban declined to provide specifics on Clinton’s diplomatic policy for the region but said, “We have yet to see all of Hillary’s detailed positions, and I will not give anything away. However, one thing I know: Hillary will be great for Israel.”The billionaire philanthropist and media mogul, whose financial backing is seen as a crucial to Clinton’s candidacy, said, “Hillary has been a steadfast defender of Israel’s interests. She will be a fantastic president for the US, an incredible world leader and one under whom the relationship with the US and Israel will be significantly reinforced.”Saban also weighed in on the tense relations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Barack Obama. He acknowledged that tensions do exist, but said the cooperation between the two nations remains as strong as ever.“Ultimately, this isn’t the first time there has been tension between these two allies, and it likely won’t be the last.But I think the vice president put it best at a recent [Israel] Independence Day celebration when he said, “Sometimes we drive each other crazy. But we love each other, and we protect each other,” he said.The Post will publish its list of rankings in the full interview next Friday, May 22.