Until recently, the Israeli right regarded US President Donald Trump as its greatest ally. He was often described in quasi-religious terms – as a saviour, even a messiah sent to rescue Israel from international pressure and the constraints imposed by previous American administrations.

According to several American media reports, Trump told Netanyahu: ‘You’re fucking crazy’ and ‘All the Jews are sick of you.’

According to several American media reports, Trump told Netanyahu: ‘You’re fucking crazy’ and ‘All the Jews are sick of you.’

That admiration stemmed from Trump’s unwavering support during his first term. He moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem, recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and adopted Netanyahu’s position that Washington should withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran negotiated in 2015 under president Barack Obama. Ironically, if the current negotiations with Tehran succeed, the resulting agreement is expected to resemble many of the core elements of the very deal Trump abandoned.

After returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump initially continued his strong support for Israel. He met Netanyahu seven times – more frequently than any other foreign leader and backed Israel’s confrontation with Iran. Together they embarked on a military campaign that, in retrospect, appears to have lacked a clear diplomatic objective and a credible exit strategy.

Trump was ultimately the first to recognise the strategic trap. Once it became apparent that the conflict risked turning into a costly economic burden and open-ended confrontation, he began searching for a way out. Limiting American losses and reaching a diplomatic settlement became his priority, even at the risk of appearing to grant concessions to Iran’s authoritarian Islamist regime.

Against that........

© The Spectator