Trump Netanyahu Clash Exposes Tensions With Israel
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Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have often presented themselves as close allies on the world stage — two hard-line leaders bound together by war, diplomacy and America’s long alliance with Israel. But behind the scenes, the relationship may have been far more explosive. A new insider book by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan sheds light on the Trump Netanyahu Clash as it is claimed that Trump erupted at the Israeli prime minister during tense negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire last year.
The book, “Regime Change,” describes a furious phone call between Trump, Netanyahu, Jared Kushner and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Qatar Strike Sparked Trump’s Fury
According to the book, Trump’s frustration boiled over after an Israeli strike on Qatar, where negotiators were supposed to meet with officials from the Hamas terror organization. Trump, Kushner and Witkoff were reportedly furious. They believed Israel was undermining a diplomatic effort to end the war in Gaza.
Then Trump allegedly unloaded on Netanyahu.
“Everybody’s sick of you, Bibi. All the Jews are sick of you,” Trump reportedly shouted, according to the book. He then pointed to Kushner and Witkoff, adding: “Even the two Jews on this call are sick of you.”
Kushner Reportedly Lost Patience Too
The book claims Kushner was also enraged by Israel’s tactics during the negotiations.
He later told an ally: “I’m f—ing out. The Israelis are crazy.”
Trump and his negotiators wanted Netanyahu to accept Kushner’s 20-point plan to end the Gaza war. The war had begun with the Hamas terror attack of October 7, 2023, when around 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 250 people were taken hostage.
Trump later made clear to Netanyahu that he could not walk away from the plan.
“You can’t back out of this. I’m the best friend Israel ever had. Everybody hates you, and I’ve stood by you,” Trump reportedly told him.
Deal Announced Two Days Later
The pressure appeared to work.
Two days later, Trump and Netanyahu stood together in public and announced the deal.
The White House has pushed back against suggestions of a broken relationship, stressing after press inquiries that Trump and Netanyahu remain close and that the U.S.-Israel alliance remains strong.
But the book adds to a growing picture of tension between the two leaders.
Trump Netanyahu Clash: New Tensions Over Iran
The strain has continued more recently, especially over Trump’s peace talks with Iran.
Trump has reportedly said Israel would have been “eviscerated” without his support. He also suggested he had to keep Netanyahu “a little bit sane.”
That is the bigger political drama: Trump still casts himself as Israel’s strongest friend. But according to “Regime Change,” he has also grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu’s decisions, tactics and resistance to his diplomatic plans.
The public alliance remains intact.
Behind closed doors, according to the book, it can sound like a shouting match.
