United States President Donald Trump has reportedly labelled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "effing crazy." This strong disagreement occurred during a phone call between the two leaders. The argument focused on Israeli military actions in Lebanon. This dispute has created a crisis for Washington’s diplomatic efforts with Iran.
Tehran has threatened to halt negotiations with the United States. This action could be a major setback for President Trump. He is trying to end a costly war with Iran. The Axios news agency first reported the incident. Trump confirmed the report in a podcast interview. He said he was "a little bit perturbed" by Netanyahu’s conflicts with Lebanon. Trump also stated he likes Netanyahu and works well with him.
This latest clash comes as President Trump considers a deal. This deal would extend the current ceasefire with Iran. It could also open the door to talks about Iran’s nuclear program. A critical global shipping lane, the Strait of Hormuz, is also at stake. Reopening this lane is important for international trade. The US has been working to stabilize relations in the Middle East.
Benjamin Netanyahu downplayed any tensions. He told CNBC they have "tactical disagreements." He compared it to arguments within families. He also said they always find a way to resolve issues. He added that they remain "great friends." He asserted they can disagree in the morning and agree by the afternoon.
However, experts caution about the implications. Brett Bruen, a former diplomat, said the call may show White House frustration. This frustration stems from differing US and Israeli goals. These differences are apparent nearly 100 days after joint strikes on Iran. Bruen stated Netanyahu has a history of pursuing his own agenda. He noted that Trump is learning a hard lesson about dealing with a mercurial leader.
Both Netanyahu and Trump agree on a key goal. They want to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. But their approach to Lebanon differs. Israel is committed to targeting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. This is happening even as US-Iran talks continue. Iran insists that any ceasefire must include Lebanon.
Public opinion in the US regarding support for Israel is shifting. A Pew Research poll in April showed 60% of Americans view Israel negatively. This is up from 42% before the 2023 Hamas war. Some conservative figures in the US also criticize Israel. They believe Israel pressured Trump into the Iran war. The White House and Netanyahu deny this accusation.
Joe Kent, a former National Counterterrorism Center head, resigned from his post. He cited a belief that Israel and its US lobby pushed for the war. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobby group, responded. They accused Kent of using "old-age antisemitic tropes." In this environment, some observers believe Trump might be distancing himself from Netanyahu. This could help him appeal to critics in the US. Bruen suggested there is a "political necessity now to create daylight between Israel and the US."
Other US presidents have also experienced frustration with Netanyahu. He clashed with Bill Clinton over the Oslo peace accords. His relationship with Barack Obama was difficult. This was particularly true after a 2015 speech to Congress about Iran. The speech was planned without the White House knowing. President Biden’s relationship with Netanyahu also soured. Netanyahu accused the US of withholding weapons. White House officials called these comments "vexing." Natan Sachs, an expert on US-Israeli relations, called Netanyahu a "difficult negotiator." He described him as "very suspicious." Trump has previously shown frustration with Netanyahu. He used an expletive on camera last year. This happened after Israeli strikes threatened a ceasefire with Tehran. Despite these issues, their relationship has often been positive. Netanyahu has called Trump "the greatest friend to Israel." Sachs noted that Netanyahu found in Trump someone willing to change Middle East policies.