Former US president Donald Trump has insisted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not defy his administration, during an interview with the BBC. The remarks come amid growing scrutiny of their relationship following the publication of a new book by journalist Bob Woodward, which alleges that Netanyahu ignored Trump’s warnings over military action in Gaza.
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump told the BBC’s Nick Robinson that reports of a rift were exaggerated. “He didn’t defy me. We had a very good relationship. He listened to me, and I listened to him,” Trump said. The former president also claimed that Woodward’s account, which suggests Netanyahu disregarded Trump’s opposition to a 2020 strike on Iranian-linked targets, was “fake news.”
However, British analysts have cast doubt on Trump’s characterisation. Sir John Sawers, former head of MI6, noted that the Woodward excerpts are consistent with intelligence briefings he has seen. “The notion that Netanyahu would defer to a US president on matters of Israeli national security, particularly regarding Iran, is inconsistent with the prime minister’s historical conduct,” Sawers said. Other experts pointed to Trump’s own recent criticism of Netanyahu, including a July 2024 interview with Hebrew-language media in which Trump said the Israeli leader had “let us down” during the final days of his presidency.
The controversy underscores the complex dynamics between the two leaders, who were close allies during Trump’s term. Netanyahu was the first foreign leader to congratulate Trump after the 2016 election, and Trump reciprocated with a series of policy wins for Israel, including moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Yet behind the scenes, tensions existed. Woodward’s book, “War,” claims that Trump warned Netanyahu against a unilateral strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, only for Netanyahu to proceed anyway. Trump’s denial on the BBC suggests he is seeking to rewrite that narrative as he prepares for a potential return to office.
British diplomatic sources remain divided on the implications. Some view the feud as largely personal, with little impact on US-Israel relations regardless of the next election. Others argue that it could embolden Netanyahu to act more independently, particularly if Trump loses in November. “If Netanyahu feels he can defy a US president without consequence, that sets a dangerous precedent,” said Dr. Yossi Mekelberg, a senior researcher at Chatham House. “But if Trump returns, the relationship may reset quickly, given their mutual interests.”
The White House declined to comment on the former president’s remarks. A spokesperson for Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister “values the relationship with all American presidents” and declined to address specific claims. The BBC interview aired in full on Wednesday evening.
