US President Donald Trump complained about what he called "ridiculous" plans for new elections in Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition.
Trump, speaking to reporters outside the White House before his departure for the UK, weighed in on the Israeli elections after he was asked about prospects for his administration's long-awaited Middle East peace plan.
"In the meantime, Israel's all messed up with their election," he said. "Bibi got elected, now all of the sudden they're going to have to go through the process again, until September? That's ridiculous.
"So we're not happy about that."
The Knesset voted to dissolve last week and call a new election after Netanyahu was unable to form a governing coalition ahead of a deadline, in part over a dispute over who should serve in the army. Israelis will now go back to the polls on September 17 with the Prime Minister hoping for a more successful outcome.
