Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once praised President Donald Trump as “the greatest friend Israel ever had in the White House.” Now, the dynamics have shifted. Trump is openly criticizing Netanyahu as he seeks to finalize a deal to end the conflict with Iran. The rhetoric Trump uses against Netanyahu is unprecedented in American leadership.
Trump has claimed major credit for Israel’s existence, stating, “without me, there would be no Israel,” and has questioned Netanyahu’s judgment in public. Trump’s criticism extends to calling Netanyahu “crazy.” While Netanyahu’s tenure has spanned four U.S. presidencies, no leader other than Trump has been as vocal about their frustrations with him.
The tension intensified as Trump criticized recent Israeli military actions in Lebanon, fearing it could disrupt negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Trump is eager to broker a deal, facing domestic pressure as the war remains unpopular and affects gasoline prices. Aaron David Miller, a former adviser on Middle East issues, observed that Trump is willing to leverage his position against Netanyahu if it means achieving his goals.
“If Netanyahu gets in between something Trump really wants… he’s prepared to use the leverage that he has,” Miller said.
An agreement is expected to be signed soon at the Burgenstock resort near Luzern. During the annual G7 summit in France, Trump revealed his dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s moves, asserting his belief that Israel’s existence is closely tied to his actions.
Support for Israel in Washington is no longer unanimous. Growing disagreements exist, particularly concerning Israel’s handling of Palestinians, notably during the Gaza conflict. Trump’s comments have been viewed as offensive by some in the Jewish community, as noted by Halie Soifer from the Jewish Democratic Council of America.
Although President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have also publicly disagreed with Netanyahu, they have done so more cautiously. Trump’s statements provoke mixed reactions among conservatives and pro-Israel groups. Some, like the Republican Jewish Coalition President Matt Brooks, attribute Trump’s criticism to typical familial disagreements.
Brooks emphasizes that Trump has maintained strong support for Israel, pointing to his administration’s decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and other supportive actions. In contrast, Biden and Harris’s criticisms have been perceived as lacking the same level of support Trump has shown.
Mort Klein of the Zionist Organization of America, though supportive of Trump, expressed concern about his public remarks, particularly given Trump’s praise for certain authoritarian leaders. Klein worries Trump may speak against Netanyahu to appeal to Israel’s critics, noticing increasing American hostility toward Israel.
Klein remarked, “That worries me,” concerned about Trump’s motivations.