Bolton: A second term for Trump could be dangerous for Israel

"I think he has his own definition of what amounts to honesty. He definitely has different versions of facts, they tend to come and go as they suit him," Bolton said of his former employer.

By IDAN ZONSHINE
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump listens as his national security adviser John Bolton speaks during a presidential memorandum signing for the "Women's Global Development and Prosperity" initiative in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2019 (photo credit: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS/FILE PHOTO)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump listens as his national security adviser John Bolton speaks during a presidential memorandum signing for the "Women's Global Development and Prosperity" initiative in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2019
(photo credit: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS/FILE PHOTO)
Former National Security Adviser to the Trump Administration John Bolton discussed strategies for action in Iran, his view of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his view of President Donald Trump with Israel's Channel 13.
The interview comes as Bolton is promoting his new book, The Room Where it Happened, which details several accusations of misconduct by the US president, who tried to stop the book from being published claiming it divulged "classified information" and calling it problematic, before a federal judge approved its release.
"I think he has his own definition of what amounts to honesty. He definitely has different versions of facts, they tend to come and go as they suit him," Bolton said of Trump.
"I found that very frustrating. I think foreign leaders found that very frustrating. It's great if it works in your favor, it's not so great when it works against you. I'd rather have someone more grounded in reality as president, I think it's the safest way for America."
When asked whether he thinks a second term for Trump would be risky for Israel, Bolton replied, "yes, because the president's policies could shift. I lay out in the book how eager he was to have a meeting with the Iranian leadership, whether [President Hassan] Rouhani or [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei, to talk about getting a new nuclear deal with Iran."
He compared Trump's desires to meet with Khamenei and Rouhani to Trump's formerly-warm ties with North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-Un, saying "just as Kim Jong-un played Trump along in the Korea context. I worry that, in a second term, the Iranians might be able to do the same with Trump."
Regarding Trump's proposed peace plan, Bolton said that "anyone who thinks 'I'm just going to sit down and bring peace to the Middle East,' hasn't been in the Middle East long enough to understand how deep these problems are."
When asked whether Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner could solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Bolton replied "No. It's not going to happen, especially not in the next four months."
In his book, Bolton says that Trump likely committed impeachable offenses not just in seeking to extract favors from Ukraine, but from Turkey and China.
When asked whether he supports that Israel go ahead with the planned Jordan Valley annexation without first getting approval from the US, Bolton said "that is, in my opinion, the way they should go."

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Bolton explained that the delayed annexation may be a good thing for Trump, allowing him to "make a decision better-based on where he stands in the polls and what the effect on the election would be.
When asked if Trump should support a unilateral annexation plan, Bolton said "I'm surprised he hasn't done it yet."
Bolton was asked whether he sees similarities between Netanyahu and Trump, Bolton replied "No, not at all. Prime Minister Netanyahu is a very successful politician. I've had the privilege of knowing him for many years, I'm a great admirer. Among other things, he's a master of geopolitical strategic thinking."
"It's no comparison. I have to say I'm just glad that Israel is on the US side," he added.


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