Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not comment publicly on Wednesday following President Trump's announcement and signing of a deal that Israeli officials view negatively. Netanyahu had previously assured the Israeli public of a decisive victory regarding Iran but is now faced with Trump's memorandum of understanding, which has drawn criticism from the president ahead of an election.
Netanyahu's stance on the deal is not widely shared internationally, with even the United Arab Emirates supporting it. In the U.S., some of Netanyahu's allies in the Republican Party and media are hesitant to criticize the deal, which has Trump's endorsement. Unlike in 2015, when Netanyahu addressed Congress to oppose President Obama's Iran deal, he is currently unable to openly criticize the new agreement without risking conflict with Trump.
Israeli officials have expressed their concerns about the deal in private briefings rather than through public statements. Media outlets aligned with Netanyahu, which were previously supportive of Trump, have begun to voice criticism against him and his team. One host on Channel 14 referred to Vice President Vance in derogatory terms and accused Trump's representatives of compromising Israel's interests.
During the G7 summit, Trump acknowledged Netanyahu's cooperation during the conflict with Iran but also made critical remarks about him. Trump referred to Netanyahu as a "good man" but noted their differing roles in the partnership, stating that Netanyahu sometimes gets "a little excited." Trump had previously criticized Netanyahu's judgment regarding a military strike in Beirut that could have jeopardized the deal.
Netanyahu reportedly did not anticipate the announcement of the deal and Israeli officials indicated they had not reviewed the memorandum of understanding prior to its release. A U.S. official confirmed that while Netanyahu might not have seen the final text, the Israelis had not requested it and had received detailed briefings during negotiations. Trump stated he had sent a copy of the deal to Netanyahu.
A key issue for Netanyahu is the situation in Lebanon, as the memorandum includes provisions for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, requiring Israel to withdraw from Lebanon in any final agreement. An adviser to Netanyahu stated that Israel does not consider itself obligated to the Lebanon clause unless Hezbollah is disarmed. Trump acknowledged a disagreement regarding Lebanon during a press conference.
The White House has indicated that the ceasefire will not be one-sided, allowing Israel to respond if Hezbollah attacks. U.S. officials are optimistic that Israel will use the next two months to negotiate a political settlement with Lebanon, which may lead to an Israeli withdrawal independent of the nuclear deal with Iran. Trump reiterated his criticism of Israel's military tactics in Lebanon, stating that it is unacceptable to destroy residential buildings in pursuit of individuals.
This situation marks another challenge for Netanyahu, especially given the blunt criticisms he has received from Trump, who is typically considered an essential ally.