Trump Suggests Netanyahu’s Political Future Is Uncertain After Private Remarks From His Circle

U.S. President Donald Trump said two days ago that whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will run again in Israel’s next election is “an open question,” adding, “I don’t know. He had a phenomenal career.” Trump made the comments to ABC journalist Jonathan Karl. Asked whether Netanyahu wants to stay on, Trump replied that he is “a prime minister in wartime” and said, “We are going to win very soon in the war, one way or another.”

According to a report aired Friday on Israel’s “Friday” edition, Trump’s remarks were based on things people close to him had heard directly from Netanyahu’s associates. The report said the Americans did not present it as a settled fact or final decision, but said clearly they had heard from Netanyahu’s circle that such a possibility exists.

The Likud party responded that Netanyahu “will run in the coming elections, and with God’s help win.” Earlier this week, Trump told BBC that “if I tell Netanyahu to do something, he does it.” He also said that all he had needed to tell Netanyahu to stop the strike on Iran was, “Think rationally. We are about to sign a good, powerful deal.” Trump nevertheless said Netanyahu did not defy him, because by the time they spoke, the missiles had already been launched from Israel and “there was nothing to do about it.”

A week earlier, Axios reported that Trump had harsh words for Netanyahu amid threats to strike in Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood. One U.S. source summarized Trump’s message as: “You’re crazy. If it weren’t for me, you’d be in prison. I am saving you. Everyone hates you now, and everyone hates Israel because of what you are doing.” Another source said Trump was furious and shouted, “What the hell are you doing?”