Trump Rebukes Netanyahu Amid Middle East Escalation

Jakarta – Relations between United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reportedly come under strain as conflict in the Middle East intensifies. The tension surfaced following media reports that Trump reacted angrily to Israel’s alleged plan to launch a strike on Beirut, Lebanon.

According to Axios and ABC News, Trump expressed strong objections during a phone call with Netanyahu on Monday (June 1, 2026). The US president was said to be concerned that any military action against Beirut could derail ongoing diplomatic efforts, including sensitive negotiations involving Iran.

Axios reported that Trump used unusually harsh language during the conversation. However, Israeli media outlets have denied the accuracy of those claims regarding the content of the call.

When asked to respond, a White House official pointed to Trump’s post on Truth Social. In the post, Trump thanked Netanyahu for what he described as an agreement involving troop withdrawals from Beirut and a ceasefire with Hezbollah.

The reported friction underscores an increasingly complex relationship between Trump and Netanyahu, two leaders long seen as political allies with aligned ideological positions, as cited by The Times of Israel on Wednesday (June 3).

Trump is currently facing mounting domestic political pressure ahead of the United States midterm elections. The ongoing Middle East conflict is seen as having economic repercussions and has triggered criticism from segments of his Make America Great Again (MAGA) support base, who argue that Washington is overly entangled in Israel’s affairs.

Several prominent conservative figures who were once close allies of Trump, including Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene, have openly criticized US involvement in the conflict. They argue that such policies contradict the “America First” doctrine that has defined Trump’s political agenda.

Criticism is also reflected among Republican voters. A Pew Research survey conducted in April found that 57 percent of Republican voters aged 18 to 49 held unfavorable views of Israel, up from 50 percent the previous year.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu is grappling with significant domestic pressure of his own. In addition to ongoing legal challenges related to corruption allegations, he must also maintain the stability of his right-wing governing coalition, which remains crucial to his hold on power.

Not a New Pattern

Former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro noted that tensions between Netanyahu and US presidents are not unprecedented.

“The fact that Netanyahu has had personal friction with US presidents is nothing new. In fact, he has a consistent track record of reaching that point of frustration with nearly every president he has worked with,” Shapiro told AFP.

According to Shapiro, Netanyahu has spent decades urging Washington to take a tougher stance on Iran, particularly regarding its nuclear program. That effort, he noted, became more feasible when Trump returned to the White House.

However, as the conflict involving Iran has escalated, the close political alignment between Trump and Netanyahu has begun to carry political consequences for both leaders.

Mairav Zonszein, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, said Trump appears increasingly focused on finding an exit strategy from the conflict, while Netanyahu continues to view military options as necessary.

“Trump is trying to move toward a resolution, and he clearly holds significant influence over Netanyahu. Netanyahu cannot simply defy him,” Zonszein told AFP.

She added that their fundamental difference lies in their approach to the ongoing conflict.

“Trump is looking ahead, trying to move forward, while Netanyahu is still oriented toward returning to the battlefield. That is the key distinction,” she said.

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