Trump lashes out at Netanyahu: ‘What the hell are you doing? Everyone hates Israel because of you’
A tense phone call between the two leaders following Israel’s escalation in Lebanon
The two allies in the war in Iran are showing the first cracks in a relationship that seemed unbreakable. US President Donald Trump is reported to have lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their phone call yesterday, calling him ‘fucking crazy’ and telling him that everyone ‘hates Israel’, whilst urging Israel to accept a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Axios quoted a US official who summarised Trump’s message to Netanyahu as follows: ‘You’re absolutely mad. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your arse. Now everyone hates you. Everyone hates Israel because of this.” A second source briefed on the call told the publication that the US president was “furious” and at one point shouted at Netanyahu: “What the f*** are you doing?”
Two sources also claimed that Trump accused Netanyahu of ingratitude during a phone call regarding the Israeli government’s decision to escalate fighting in Lebanon, a call that Axios described as ‘laced with profanity’.
Although US officials told the news site that Trump was aware that Hezbollah had repeatedly fired on Israel and that Jerusalem has the right to respond, the president reportedly believes that the Israeli Defence Forces have reacted disproportionately in recent days, jeopardising Washington’s efforts to secure an extension of the ceasefire with Iran, which makes the agreement contingent on a truce in Lebanon.
Trump is also said to have blocked Israel’s plan to strike Beirut. A US official stated that Trump told Netanyahu that following through on his threats to bomb the Lebanese capital would further isolate Israel on the world stage. Two sources reported that Trump claimed to have helped prevent Netanyahu’s arrest, a reference to his support during the corruption trial against the Israeli prime minister.
