Trump Claims Control Over Netanyahu Amidst Israeli Strikes Defying U.S. Orders
Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Donald Trump claims to control Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but U.S. influence appears weakened as Israel strikes Lebanon and Iran against Washington's orders.
- Divergent interests have emerged: Iran demands an end to hostilities with Hezbollah for negotiations, a condition unacceptable to Netanyahu's extremist coalition.
- Trump faces a political impasse, caught between his inability to force Israel's compliance and the need to maintain his political standing.
Donald Trump asserts his complete control over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating "It's me who decides everything. Not him." This claim, however, is increasingly challenged by U.S. impotence in the face of Israeli actions. Despite explicit U.S. requests to halt operations, Israel has continued to strike targets in Lebanon and Iran.
The core of the conflict lies in diverging interests between the U.S. and Israel. Iran has demanded an end to hostilities with Hezbollah as a prerequisite for negotiations, a condition that Netanyahu, reliant on a hardline coalition, finds politically impossible to accept. This deadlock leaves Trump in a precarious position, struggling to reconcile his administration's directives with Israel's strategic imperatives.
It's me who decides everything. Not him.
Trump's administration finds itself in a political bind. While publicly stating that "Israel and Iran must immediately cease firing," Netanyahu's forces have proceeded with further assaults on Iran. The Israeli prime minister appears less concerned with U.S. orders, especially when they conflict with his own political survival ahead of critical elections.
This situation has created a stalemate, with Trump bearing the brunt of the political fallout. His attempts to manage the conflict are undermined by Israel's independent actions, highlighting a significant rift in the U.S.-Israel alliance and complicating Trump's foreign policy objectives.
Israel and Iran must immediately cease firing.
Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.