Netanyahu's Strained Relations With World Leaders Revealed in Memoirs
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Revelations from memoirs by former US Presidents Biden and Obama, along with other international leaders, detail significant disagreements and broken promises with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over three decades. Common complaints include Netanyahu's alleged failure to fulfill commitments and prioritizing domestic interests, leading to frustration among allies like the US, France, Germany, and Jordan. Despite these tensions, Netanyahu's supporters argue his actions are driven by national security needs and resistance to foreign pressure. Following recent elections where Netanyahu's bloc did not win a majority, Gadi Eisenkot is tasked with forming a new government and aims to improve relations with allies.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- Memoirs from Biden, Obama, Sarkozy, Merkel, and Johnson detail broken promises and disagreements with PM Netanyahu.
- Joe Biden cited Netanyahu's alleged failure to fulfill promises, particularly regarding civilian casualties in Gaza.
- Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy had a leaked conversation where Sarkozy called Netanyahu a "liar."
- Angela Merkel criticized Netanyahu's stance on the two-state solution and settlement expansion.
- Donald Trump had a contentious relationship with Netanyahu, expressing anger over congratulating Biden.
- Netanyahu's supporters claim foreign criticism stems from Israel's refusal to bow to external pressure.
- Gadi Eisenkot is tasked with forming a new Israeli government and aims to mend ties with allies.
Memoirs and accounts from former US Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, ex-French President Nicolas Sarkozy, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and ex-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reveal a pattern of broken promises and significant disagreements with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over three decades. A common complaint cited by former partners is Netanyahu's failure to fulfill promises, leading to frustration and distrust among international leaders.
Joe Biden, in his upcoming memoir "Promise Me, America," details his strained relationship with Netanyahu during the Gaza war, noting repeated US demands to minimize civilian casualties. Despite Netanyahu's apparent agreement on humanitarian concerns, subsequent IDF operations resulted in numerous casualties, irritating the White House. Biden concluded that Netanyahu might have made promises without intending to keep them, often prioritizing domestic political interests over long-term state interests, forcing Washington to simultaneously defend Israel and mitigate its government's actions.
Further revelations include sharp criticism from Biden following the Rafah operation and the World Central Kitchen strike in April 2024, which prompted discussions about halting US military aid. Former US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin compared Netanyahu to a gambler willing to take significant risks, expecting the US to cover the consequences. Similarly, Barack Obama, while acknowledging Netanyahu's intelligence and skill, criticized his rhetoric of justifying political decisions through national security needs. A leaked conversation between Obama and Sarkozy in 2011, where Sarkozy called Netanyahu a "liar," highlighted the deep personal tensions.
Angela Merkel's memoirs also detail disagreements over the two-state solution, with Netanyahu's expansion of settlements in Judea and Samaria contradicting stated intentions for political settlement. Merkel contrasted this with her more open discussions with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Boris Johnson recounted an unusual incident in 2017 where a listening device was allegedly found in his office after Netanyahu's visit, though Netanyahu's office dismissed the claim as absurd.
Even Donald Trump, despite facilitating key diplomatic achievements for Israel like recognizing Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, had a contentious relationship with Netanyahu. Trump expressed anger when Netanyahu congratulated Biden on his election win, feeling unappreciated. Later, Trump reportedly pressured President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu and expressed frustration over Israeli strikes in Lebanon during US negotiations with Iran.
Early criticism dates back to 1997, when Jordan's King Hussein wrote to Netanyahu expressing doubts about trust and the peace process due to settlement construction and troop withdrawals. Netanyahu's supporters argue that foreign leaders' dissatisfaction stems from Israel's refusal to yield to external pressure on national security issues, such as confronting Iran and conducting military operations. Netanyahu himself has stated that Israel proceeded with operations against Biden administration recommendations, asserting that some US predictions proved wrong.
Amidst this backdrop, Gadi Eisenkot, leading the Yashar party, has been tasked with forming a new government after the recent Knesset elections, where Netanyahu's bloc did not secure a majority. Eisenkot aims to strengthen relations with the US and restore bipartisan support, potentially offering a chance to reset international partnerships without decades of accumulated personal conflicts, though core strategic challenges remain.
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