Did Trump-Netanyahu’s leaked call expose the real cracks in the decades-old alliance to the world? Did Trump force Netanyahu to bow down by stopping the plan to attack Beirut? Is America now putting pressure on Israel to save the Iran deal? Was Netanyahu’s ‘controlling America’ image shattered by this one phone call?
Trump Netanyahu Leaked Call: For almost two decades, Benjamin Netanyahu has presented himself to the Israeli public as an invincible diplomat who can make America dance at his fingertips whenever he wants. He kept himself ‘indispensable’ by specifically citing his friendship with Donald Trump. But a phone call from the White House late Monday night buried this confusion forever. The way the US President reprimanded his most trusted ally instead of convincing him has changed the entire equation of international politics.
What did Trump say in the closed room?
The suspense and sensation reached its peak when the Axios report leaked excerpts of this intelligence conversation. Trump, breaking diplomatic boundaries behind closed doors, directly called Netanyahu “crazy.” Not only this, Trump reminded Netanyahu of his ongoing corruption trial and shouted: “If it weren’t for me, you would be in jail. I’m saving your life. Now everyone hates Israel because of you.” This was not the language of an alliance of equals, but rather an owner reminding his debtor of his status. According to reports, during the conversation Trump used sharp words on Netanyahu and asked, “What are you doing?”
War vs. Peace: What’s the real game behind the scenes?
The biggest suspense behind this historical confrontation is the respective political interests of both the leaders. Donald Trump currently wants to present himself as a ‘mediator to end the war’ by making a historic peace agreement (Mahadeal) with Iran. In contrast, elections are mandatory in Israel by October and Netanyahu’s coalition is lagging in early surveys. Only an ongoing war in the name of security can preserve Netanyahu’s power. Simply put – one person wants to stop the war, while the other is looking for an excuse to continue it.
Lebanon became the biggest cause of conflict
Tension deepened when it came to light that Israel was threatening to demolish entire residential buildings in Lebanon’s capital Beirut just to kill a Hezbollah commander. Enraged by this, Trump expressed strong objection to this strategy of Israel and clearly said that this cruelty will make Israel completely isolated in the world. After this heavy pressure, Israel had to come on the backfoot and immediately stopped the attacks on Beirut.
Surrender in private, revolt in public!
After this leaked call, Netanyahu’s biggest disgrace has come from his double attitude. On the one hand, while his officials surrendered to Trump’s pressure and accepted the withdrawal of the army and stop the attacks, on the other hand, Netanyahu tried to show the public by taking to the social media platform ‘X’ that his stance has not changed. But the difference between this ostensible disobedience and personal surrender has made it clear that the man who claimed to make America dance has now himself become dependent on Washington for his political and legal security.