Donald Trump said Israel “should get their act together” after Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to concede, seven weeks after proclaiming his fifth election victory, having failed to form a government.

Speaking to journalists in the White House the US President said:  “Israel is all messed up with their election — I mean that came out of the blue three days ago. So that’s all messed up. They ought to get their act together.

He was responding to questions about comments made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the prospects of the administration’s plan for Middle East peace.

Trump said: “I mean, Bibi [Netanyahu] got elected, now all of a 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 president was a vocal champion of Mr Netanyahu during the previous election, showing his support for the Israeli prime minister by sharing some of his election adverts on social media.

The Israeli prime minister’s negotiations to form a government collapsed following a deadlock with Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing secular Yisrael Beiteinu party, whose demands for a military draft law are opposed by Mr Netanyahu’s religious partners.

Snap elections will take place on September 17.