American presidential candidate: Israeli prime minister is racist

The U.S.-Israel marriage is one of the most important relations we have”, O'Rourke said in an election event held at the University of Iowa. “This relationship, if it will be successful, should exceed the blind alliance in the US and should be able to overcome a prime minister, who is racist”, he said.

Netanyah hopes to win the fifth term in Tuesday's elections. It seeks to form a coalition with the support of ultranationalist groups, including the Hebrew “Force”, whose members have called for the expulsion of Arabs.

O'Rourke, a former Texas Congressman, blamed Netanyah for supporting a right racist party in order to retain its power. He said the Israeli leader had eliminated any peace efforts, making a pledge at the last minute for elections this weekend to annex Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories.

Netanyah said this weekend that he would prevent the creation of a Palestinian state on the occupied territory of the West Coast.

O'Rourkes' comments reflect a crisis within the democratic party on criticism of Israel's state actions. A group of young progressive lawmakers have been openly critical of Israel's government, which a twist from the unconditional support tradition from the two arms of American politics.

Donald Trump, who has expressed supporters for Netanyah during the election campaign, has tried to make Israel an issue deserving of support.

He hopes to impress Jewish voters in the United States who have traditionally supported the Democrats, making his political rivals look like Israel's opponents, writes the Guardian”.