Is Trump putting the brakes on Netanyahu?

Statements attributed to Trump and harsh criticisms from former Israeli officials raise the question of how Netanyahu is being constrained both domestically and internationally...

Scraper SystemJune 02, 2026, 07:12 PM

The story of Binyamin Netanyahu is not just the story of a politician in power; it also tells a broader picture of how the institutions expected to restrain him have weakened. The debate in Israel is no longer about who governs, but about who can stop Netanyahu's ambition. Three recent statements have intensified this debate. Remarks from Ehud Barak, Donald Trump, and Ram Ben-Barak point to a serious fracture in Israel's security and political balance. These statements reveal that the country's structure, described as having strong institutions and independent strategic decision-making, is struggling against Netanyahu's behavior. Ehud Barak said that Netanyahu's government has led Israel into the most dangerous political and security situation since its establishment. According to Barak, the narrative that Netanyahu "crushed Hezbollah" and "set the organization back decades" does not reflect reality. He also harshly criticized considering the demolition of villages as a strategic success, arguing that it is not an achievement but a misdirection. Barak's statement is seen as much more than an ordinary political critique. Speaking as a former prime minister and former chief of staff, Barak, one of the figures representing Israel's security memory, claimed that Netanyahu's war rhetoric has turned into a political victory narrative, pushing the country into a riskier position. The most striking part of the debate was the phone call reported between Donald Trump and Netanyahu. In this call, Trump reportedly said, "If it weren't for me, you'd be in jail," called Netanyahu "crazy," and said, "Everyone hates you, everyone hates Israel because of you." These words carry a tone beyond the classic diplomatic language between two strategic allies. Trump's remarks strengthened interpretations that Netanyahu's political survival depends more on American protection than internal legitimacy. At the same time, it expanded the discussion on how closely Israel's international image is tied to the attitude of a single leader. It is also recalled that Trump previously declared a ceasefire in Lebanon, said Israel would not send ground troops to Beirut, and requested the rollback of related advances. It is noted that he also announced an indirect agreement with Hezbollah. This situation laid the groundwork for criticisms that Netanyahu has become an actor who follows externally drawn boundaries rather than a decision-maker. Ram Ben-Barak's statement, "we have lost our independence in our security policy," also reinforced this debate. This expression highlighted the assessment that Washington's veto power has become decisive in Israel's security decisions. Thus, the view that the ultimate boundary in war and peace is drawn not in Tel Aviv but in Washington became more visible. For Netanyahu's side, this situation means not so much a weakening of power but a redefinition of power. Comments suggest that Netanyahu tries to remain an "indispensable" leader domestically and an "unignorable" leader internationally; meanwhile, American pressure aims not to overthrow him but to keep him on a certain line. Thus, a strange balance emerges: Israel's own political and security structure struggles to restrain a leader, while Washington tries to guide that leader without completely excluding him. The picture highlighted in the report shapes the view that internal mechanisms to brake Netanyahu are insufficient, and external pressure aims to keep him controlled rather than remove him.

Is Trump putting the brakes on Netanyahu?

Statements attributed to Trump and harsh criticisms from former Israeli officials raise the question of how Netanyahu is being constrained both domestically and internationally...