In an interview with ABC News, Trump openly questioned whether Netanyahu had any desire to remain in office, calling the Israeli prime minister's re-election bid an open question mark.
Asked whether Netanyahu will lead Israel in the upcoming election, Trump said: “I don't know.” He answered and continued his words as follows:
“Does (Netanyahu) want to continue? Because, as you know, he is a wartime prime minister. We are going to win this war one way or another very soon, and he is a wartime prime minister.”
Trump said: “Whether Netanyahu will run again is an open question. I wonder if (Netanyahu) wants to continue.” he said.
Trump clearly described the future of Israel's longtime prime minister as uncertain, signaling that the United States may already be preparing for a post-Netanyahu political era.
Netanyahu's party's response to Trump
Netanyahu's Likud party responded to Trump's comments in a statement on American X's social media platform, emphasizing that Netanyahu will run in the upcoming elections.
The public speculation comes after a very turbulent time for the US-Israel alliance.
According to news from Israel-based television channel i24, tensions between Trump and Netanyahu reached a peak earlier this week following a tough phone call regarding Israel's attacks on Lebanon.
Trump confirmed in a separate interview with the New York Post newspaper's “Pod Force One” program that he had used harsh language toward Netanyahu. “I was a little concerned that he was constantly at war with Lebanon,” Trump said. he said.
On the other hand, Netanyahu faces the major challenge of securing a clear governing coalition for his Likud party.
With anti-Netanyahu “change bloc” rivals such as former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot performing well in the polls, Netanyahu is seeking to secure a decisive and historic strategic victory that he can present to skeptical Israeli voters.
Netanyahu is under intense political pressure at home to achieve a decisive military victory against Lebanon and Iran, while Washington is constantly pushing to end regional conflicts in order to complete a comprehensive diplomatic process with Tehran.
In a recent media broadcast he attended, Trump highlighted this diplomatic power imbalance and gave a clear message: “I make the decisions. I make all the decisions. He (Netanyahu) doesn't make the decisions.” he said.
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