From a madman to a great warrior... positions that changed the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu

Listen to the article. The audio text is automated, generated by an automated system

The positions of US President Donald Trump towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have presented the relationship between the two men with a remarkable political paradox. After months of sharp criticism of his military decisions, and accusing him of endangering negotiations with Iran, Trump refrained from supporting him electorally, before declaring his full support for him one week before the Israeli elections.

Last June, Trump called Netanyahu “crazy,” before changing that, praising him four months later as a “great warrior prime minister,” which raised questions about whether the shift reflects a change in the US president’s calculations, or whether considerations of political interests take precedence over his differences with Netanyahu regarding the management of the war and regional settlements.

While one of the most clear moments of tension in the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu appeared last June, against the backdrop of Israeli operations in Lebanon in conjunction with American negotiations with Iran. In a phone call, Trump strongly criticized Netanyahu for the continued Israeli strikes, describing him as “crazy” and using obscene expressions to express his anger at his military decisions, according to what Axios initially revealed at the time, and the details of which the US President later confirmed.

Trump then informed Netanyahu that he was dissatisfied with his actions, asking: “What the hell are you doing?” He considered that the bloody strikes that targeted Beirut should not have been carried out at a time when Washington was close to reaching an agreement with Tehran at the time, according to what he mentioned in an interview with Fox News.

Note that Trump's objection was not related to the military operations themselves as much as it was related to their timing and repercussions on the diplomatic track. He saw at the time that the continued escalation in Lebanon might threaten the chances of reaching a settlement with Iran. He stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself, but it must not undermine the opportunity to describe it as potentially opening the door to a "long and beautiful peace."

Also, in later statements, Trump said that “when he asks Netanyahu to implement something, he implements it,” referring to his influence over the Israeli prime minister. On the other hand, Trump reportedly told Netanyahu, who pushed to expand attacks on Iran, that “the war is no longer his war.”

The signs of tension were not limited to the management of the war, but rather extended to Trump’s assessment of Netanyahu’s political options and his ability to manage his relationship with the United States. In mid-August, senior US officials reported that Trump still admires the Israeli prime minister, but feels increasingly frustrated with his decisions and policies, according to Axios.

Two people who spoke with the US President about Netanyahu quoted Trump as saying: “Bibi is his own worst enemy,” an expression that reflected the gap between the personal appreciation he holds for Netanyahu and his objection to some of his political choices.

It was also noteworthy that Trump asked Netanyahu, during their meeting in the Oval Office late last July, about his position in the opinion polls before the elections. When the Prime Minister hesitated to answer, one of his advisors intervened, saying: “Mr. President, he is winning.”

However, things did not end there, as the differences over the future of the Gaza Strip showed that the difference between the two men is not limited to managing the confrontation with Iran, but rather extends to their perceptions of regional settlements. Netanyahu publicly rejected an American plan to implement the next phase of Trump’s peace proposal in Gaza, considering that the Israeli withdrawal cannot precede the handover of Hamas’ weapons and the dismantling of its tunnels.

Netanyahu's rejection was preceded by Trump's assertion that the framework for disarming Hamas was a "historic breakthrough," while the Israeli Prime Minister stressed during a government meeting that Israel is capable of adhering to its positions even in the face of its closest allies, which reflected a difference in priorities between Washington and Israel. Trump wanted to make progress in implementing his plan and demonstrate his ability to end the war, while Netanyahu adhered to security and political conditions that he considered necessary before proceeding with the withdrawal.

Note that with the Israeli elections scheduled for October 27 approaching, the difference moved from military and diplomatic issues to the position on Netanyahu’s political future. In an interview with “Time” magazine that lasted 75 minutes and was published in early October, Trump avoided answering repeated questions about whether the Israelis should re-elect the prime minister, saying: “I can only say that I am no longer involved in politics.”

Then, days later, Trump settled his position by declaring his explicit support for Netanyahu, nine days before the Israeli elections. In a post on his “Truth Social” platform, he described him as a “strong, courageous and brilliant” prime minister, praising his performance in the face of great opposition, and declaring his full support for his re-election.

Meanwhile, a high-ranking American official revealed that intense pressure had been exerted on Trump during the previous weeks to push him to declare his support for Netanyahu, according to what the Israeli Walla website reported. He pointed out that the pressure came from advisors and aides close to the US President, in addition to messages he received from various parties within the Israeli political system.

But these efforts did not gain consensus within Trump's circle, as a number of advisors opposed the move, warning of its political repercussions. The report stated that some of those around Trump believe that supporting Netanyahu may harm the president, especially with mounting criticism within sectors of the American right of the war with Iran and its costs, including the killing of American soldiers and the rise in fuel and food prices.

On the other hand, the American official indicated the existence of contacts with figures close to former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, which reflected the openness of American circles to other parties in the Israeli political scene.