Trump Cuts Ties with Netanyahu Amid Deepening Rift over Middle East Strategy
Israeli Army Radio reports that Trump allies told Israeli Minister Ron Dermer the former U.S. president will move forward on regional plans without coordinating with Netanyahu, accusing him of manipulation.
Watan-Israeli Army Radio reported that close associates of U.S. President Donald Trump informed Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer that Trump has decided to cut ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the report, Trump’s associates told Dermer that Netanyahu is manipulating the U.S. president, and emphasized that what Trump hates most is appearing to be manipulated.
The radio cited an Israeli official who said Dermer’s typically arrogant tone during discussions with senior Republican figures had no effect in resolving the tensions.
Trump to Act Alone in Mideast as Rift with Netanyahu Deepens
This revelation followed a report by Israel Hayom, which stated that Trump is “disappointed” with Netanyahu and plans to take independent steps in the Middle East without waiting for the Israeli prime minister’s approval.
Since beginning his new presidential term on January 20, 2025, Trump has provided broad and unconditional support to Netanyahu’s government, which has waged what many describe as a genocidal war on Palestinians in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Despite that support, Israel Hayom reported, citing unnamed sources, that personal relations between Trump and Netanyahu have cooled, and mutual disappointment is growing.
The paper added that two senior figures close to Trump said in recent closed-door conversations that he has decided not to wait any longer for Israel and will advance his Middle East agenda without Netanyahu.
The sources did not specify what actions Trump plans to take independently, but Tel Aviv officials reportedly complain that Trump increasingly acts without coordination with Israel.
A key example is the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement recently reached with Yemen’s Houthi group, which excluded Israel and was finalized without notifying Tel Aviv in advance.
