Bill Clinton Accuses Netanyahu of Seeking War With Iran to Stay in Power
By USA NEWS TODAY| June 21, 2025
In a striking comment that has reignited debate over Israel’s current conflict with Iran, former U.S. President Bill Clinton has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately escalating tensions to prolong his hold on power.
“Mr. Netanyahu has long wanted to fight Iran because that way he can stay in office,” Clinton said in a recent public appearance, echoing sentiments that have circulated in political circles for years — but rarely stated so directly by a former American head of state.
A War for Survival — Or Strategy?
The remarks come amid the most serious military confrontation between Israel and Iran in decades, with daily airstrikes, drone attacks, and mounting casualties on both sides. As global powers call for de-escalation, Clinton’s comments have cast a political lens on Netanyahu’s motivations.
Critics of Netanyahu have long argued that he has used national security crises to distract from domestic scandals, rally support, and silence opposition. Facing corruption charges and mounting political fatigue, Netanyahu has survived multiple election cycles and coalition breakdowns by positioning himself as Israel’s irreplaceable wartime leader.
“It's not just about defense anymore,” a former Israeli intelligence analyst told this blog. “For Netanyahu, it’s also about legacy, survival, and controlling the narrative.”
Echoes of the Past
This isn't the first time Netanyahu’s political survival has coincided with military escalations. During his previous terms, major operations in Gaza and confrontations with Hezbollah also occurred amid political instability or personal legal troubles.
What makes Clinton’s statement so noteworthy is that it doesn’t come from a fringe critic or opposition figure — but from a former U.S. president with deep involvement in Middle East diplomacy, especially during the 1990s Oslo peace process. Clinton’s words suggest that some in the international community believe the current war may be driven, at least in part, by Netanyahu’s political calculus.
The Global Repercussions
Clinton’s comment arrives at a time when the United States is being pulled deeper into the regional conflict. Former President Donald Trump recently suggested that U.S. airstrikes on Iran could be imminent if Tehran refuses to return to nuclear negotiations.
With tensions running high and Iran suffering significant losses — including the deaths of top military commanders — the notion that war is being used as a political tool is likely to inflame public discourse both in Israel and abroad.
What’s Next?
While Israeli officials have not directly responded to Clinton’s remarks, pro-Netanyahu commentators have already begun pushing back, calling the claim “unfounded” and “irresponsible.” Meanwhile, opposition figures within Israel have used the moment to call again for elections and a change in leadership, arguing that the country needs a wartime government focused solely on national defense — not political gain.
Whether Clinton’s blunt words will have a lasting impact on how the world views the war remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: in the fog of war, questions about motives, power, and politics are just as explosive as the missiles flying overhead.
