Geopolitical experts foresee a possible rift between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighting specific cases where the US president has acted against the wishes of the genocidal Israeli Prime Minister.
Trump, in fact, cut off direct communication with Netanyahu, accusing him of manipulation and a lack of efforts to end the Middle East crisis. This is what Yanir Cozin, correspondent for the Israeli radio station “Israeli Army Radio,” wrote on social media.
Economist Jeffrey Sachs, in an interview with Judge Andrew Napolitano, alleges that Trump perceives Netanyahu as arrogant and manipulative, which has generated personal tensions that could lead to a strategic rift. According to this renowned analyst, Trump seeks to project an image of peacemaker in his second term, leading him to make decisions that prioritize US and regional interests over Netanyahu’s agenda.
Among concrete examples, Sachs mentions US actions that have directly challenged Israel’s preferences, such as the cessation of hostilities in Yemen and attempts at direct dialogue with Iran, both without Israeli mediation, reflecting a shift in the dynamics of the bilateral relationship.
A specific example highlighted by Sachs and supported by publications on X is the ceasefire with the Houthis in Yemen, announced by Trump without consulting Israel. According to a May 6, 2025, Newsweek article, Trump halted US bombing of the Houthis following an Omani-brokered agreement, which was described by one Houthi leader as a “victory” and a “failure for Netanyahu.” This move, which ensured freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, was carried out without the approval of Israel, which had intensified its own attacks against Yemen, including the destruction of Sana’a airport in retaliation for a Houthi missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport. Netanyahu, who has linked the Houthis to Iran and advocated an aggressive stance, was sidelined in this decision, which, according to Sachs, reinforces Trump’s perception that Netanyahu is trying to dictate US policy.
Another notable example is Trump’s approach to Iran, where he has sought direct negotiations without Israeli mediation. Sachs notes that Trump sent emissaries such as Adam Boehler and Steve Witkoff to engage with Iran on its nuclear program and with Hamas on hostage releases, excluding Israel from these talks. X posts from May 5, 2025, indicate that these meetings, mediated by Oman, aim to limit and monitor Iran’s nuclear program, an approach that contrasts with Netanyahu’s stance of eliminating it completely. Furthermore, a Reuters report from April 15, 2024, notes that, under the Biden administration, the United States had already warned Netanyahu that it would not participate in a counteroffensive against Iran following a drone and missile attack, showing a precedent of American autonomy. These actions, according to Sachs, reflect Trump’s frustration with Netanyahu’s influence and his intention to reposition the United States as an independent actor in the region, which could weaken Israel’s influence on Washington’s decisions.