Analysts question accuracy of reports on Trumps alleged comments to Netanyahu

US-Israel Relations Remain Unchanged Amid Ongoing Conflict

Reports of tensions between US President and Israeli Prime Minister have surfaced in recent days, with some outlets claiming that the US president has expressed frustration with Netanyahu’s actions. According to Axios, a publication reported earlier this month that Biden was “running out of patience” with Netanyahu during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Since then, media outlets have published anonymous accounts of rifts and calls between Trump and Netanyahu, including a recent report that claimed Trump called Netanyahu “f***ing crazy” over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon. However, experts say that despite these reports, US policies towards Israel remain unchanged.

Ryan Costello, policy director at the National Iranian American Council Action (NIAC), stated that political observers have grown to mock reports of closed-door anger from US presidents against Netanyahu. Instead, he emphasized that what matters is what actually happens in practice. Isabelle Hayslip, an advocacy manager at DAWN, also noted that US policy remains aligned with Israeli interests.

According to Hayslip, Trump has no final say over Israeli actions and has instead catered to Israel’s expansionist whims. The conflict between Iran and the US has led to increased pressure on Trump from his Democratic rivals and segments of his base over his handling of the war on Iran.

The latest developments in the conflict have seen Iran close the Strait of Hormuz, leading to soaring gasoline prices in the US and fueling inflation. Negotiations to end the war are currently stalled, with Israel’s escalation in Lebanon and its threat to bomb Beirut risking derailing the fragile truce that came into effect in April.

The US has provided Israel with nearly $25bn in military aid since the start of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023. Advocates argue that Israeli atrocities in Lebanon and across the region could not have happened without US backing.

Source: Al Jazeera