Former US President Donald Trump has stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not defy him, in an interview with the BBC. The comments come as leaked UK diplomatic cables suggest underlying friction between the two leaders during Trump's tenure.
In the interview, Trump sought to downplay any suggestion of insubordination from Netanyahu, a key ally. However, the diplomatic correspondence, obtained by British officials, paints a more complex picture. The cables indicate that Netanyahu’s government occasionally pursued policies that diverged from Washington’s preferences, particularly on settlement expansion and Iran.
One cable, dated 2020, notes that Netanyahu “frequently ignored US requests to freeze settlement activity” and “pushed back against the White House’s timetable for the Deal of the Century.” Another memo describes a “strained relationship” between Trump and Netanyahu, despite their public camaraderie.
Analysts suggest Trump’s denial may be an effort to preserve his legacy as a staunch supporter of Israel. But the cables underscore the limits of even a friendly administration’s influence over Israeli policy. The revelations are likely to fuel debates about the US-Israel relationship and the extent to which personal diplomacy can bridge strategic differences.
