“Do You Really Not Want to Extend Your Term?” Trump Expresses Frustration with Netanyahu

U.S. President Donald Trump has personally shared an article on social media suggesting that the political future of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lies in his hands.

On the 20th (local time), President Trump posted an article on his social media account titled, “Netanyahu’s Shaky Re-election Prospects: Trump Holds the Cards.”

The article includes details from an interview President Trump gave to an Israeli media outlet, where he stated that while he maintains a good relationship with Netanyahu, the Prime Minister needs to be more rational.

It also mentions that while President Trump said he is most likely to support Prime Minister Netanyahu in the Israeli election, he also referenced Netanyahu’s political rivals.

Previously, Israel bombed Lebanon, targeting the pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah, while negotiations to end the war between the U.S. and Iran were in full swing, effectively throwing cold water on the talks.

It was reported that President Trump called Prime Minister Netanyahu and scolded him, asking, “What on earth are you doing?” and adding, “You don’t know how to be grateful.”

Even after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war, Israel continued its airstrikes on Lebanon, further irritating President Trump.

Ultimately, citing Israel’s airstrikes on Lebanon, Iran has abruptly canceled the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which was a key provision of the war-ending MOU.

It is interpreted that President Trump has begun to publicly pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu, as controlling the variable of Israel is essential to accelerating follow-up negotiations with Iran.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.