US President Donald Trump warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel “could be left alone against Iran very soon” if it escalates conflict, according to reports from Channel 12 and the Financial Times. Trump also questioned whether Netanyahu intends to run for reelection and asserted that the Prime Minister will eventually have to accept a deal with Iran.
Why did Trump warn Netanyahu regarding Iran?
Trump told Israel’s Channel 12 that he advised Netanyahu to be cautious, warning that Israel might find itself without support against Iran. According to a Monday report by Channel 12, Trump asked Netanyahu on Sunday to avoid striking Iran in retaliation for recent Iranian missile attacks on Israel. That conversation reportedly ended without a clear agreement, and Netanyahu has not yet communicated a final decision on the matter to the US President.
The tension follows a period of military activity, including IDF strikes on Dahiyeh, a suburb of Beirut, on Sunday, which preceded a round of Iranian missile attacks on Israel. In a report by the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump claimed Netanyahu “won’t have any choice” but to accept a deal with Iran. Trump told the publication,
“I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn’t call the shots.”
How did Netanyahu respond to the US President?
Netanyahu confirmed via a pre-recorded press statement on Monday evening that he has been in contact with Trump, though he did not provide specific details regarding the nature of their discussions. Addressing the security situation, Netanyahu told Trump,
“Together, we will bring safety to the North.”
While Netanyahu confirmed the contact, reporting from ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl suggests the conversation also touched on Netanyahu’s political future. Trump told Karl in a phone call that Netanyahu has had an “amazing career” but questioned if he wants to continue, noting, “he’s a wartime prime minister.”
What is the political reaction within Israel?
The President’s directives have drawn criticism from both members of Netanyahu’s coalition and opposition leaders. While Channel 12 focused on the immediate military tensions, ABC News highlighted the political implications regarding Netanyahu’s status as a “wartime” leader.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir: The National Security Minister, a partner in Netanyahu’s coalition, criticized the decision to cancel strikes on Beirut at Trump’s behest, stating, “This is the time to tell our friend, President Trump – ‘no’.”
- Gadi Eisenkot: The former IDF chief of staff and Yashar! Party leader described Trump’s directive as “a humiliating demand, one that is blatantly unreasonable.”
- Yair Lapid: The opposition leader accused Netanyahu of behaving as though Israel were a “protectorate state of the US.”
What may happen next?
The lack of a clear agreement regarding retaliation for Iranian missile attacks suggests that Netanyahu’s next military decision could lead to further diplomatic friction with the United States. The internal pressure from coalition partners like Itamar Ben-Gvir may force the Prime Minister to choose between following US directives and maintaining his domestic political standing. Additionally, the decision regarding a potential deal with Iran could become a central point of contention in upcoming Knesset elections.
