Trump exploded at Netanyahu before Gaza deal, book cl
Donald Trump privately told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “everybody’s sick of you” during negotiations for a 20-point Gaza peace plan, according to the book Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump. The exchange occurred during a call involving Jared Kushner and White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff as the U.S. worked to end the Israel-Hamas war.
Why did Trump clash with Netanyahu over the Gaza plan?
The tension followed a September 9 IDF strike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders, which occurred one day after Kushner and Witkoff met with Netanyahu’s adviser, Ron Dermer. According to the book, Kushner and Witkoff told White House officials that “Dermer lied to us” regarding postwar plans for Gaza.
Kushner reportedly told an associate, “I’m f***ing out. The Israelis are crazy,” according to the authors, Haberman and Swan. However, Kushner later decided to use the friction to restrain Netanyahu and began drafting a 20-point plan to end the conflict.
How was the Gaza deal finalized?
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Kushner and Witkoff told Qatar’s prime minister he could either isolate Israel or use the moment as leverage to push for negotiations. Trump subsequently presented the framework to Arab and Muslim leaders before showing it to Netanyahu.
When Netanyahu called the White House, Trump yelled at the prime minister, stating, “You can’t back out of this,” and “All the Jews are sick of you,” according to the book. Trump framed himself as Israel’s “best friend” while insisting the agreement was a “great deal for Israel.”
Netanyahu agreed to the terms and appeared with Trump at a joint press conference two days later. The deal was finalized on the evening of Oct. 8, and 20 living hostages were released from Gaza shortly thereafter.
What other private tensions existed in the White House?
Haberman and Swan report that Trump called Netanyahu a “con man” during an Oval Office meeting with Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson. During that session, Trump stated the U.S. would not go to war with Iran because such a conflict would “destroy his legacy.”
Regarding Israel’s September 2024 pager attack against Hezbollah, the book describes Trump as “fascinated and horrified.” He reportedly described injuries, including missing hands, to Musk and Carlson, calling the attack “reckless” and “terrible.”
Internal volatility also extended to Vice President JD Vance. According to the authors, Trump became angry when Vance described a U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear program as “severely damaged” rather than “completely destroyed.”
What may happen next?
Future interactions between the U.S. and Israel could be shaped by this pattern of public unity masking private volatility. If similar diplomatic deadlocks occur, Trump may be likely to use personal pressure and direct confrontation to force agreements.
The relationship between the White House and Israeli leadership may continue to fluctuate based on the perceived reliability of advisers. A possible next step could involve increased scrutiny of diplomatic assurances provided by Israeli officials to U.S. envoys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Trump’s specific criticism of Netanyahu during the call?
Trump told Netanyahu, “Everybody’s sick of you, Bibi,” and added that “all the Jews are sick of you,” including the two Jewish individuals on the call.
How did Trump describe the Hezbollah pager attack?
According to the book, Trump was “fascinated and horrified,” calling the operation “reckless” and noting the “indiscriminate nature” of the attack in a public space.
When was the 20-point Gaza plan finalized?
The deal was finalized on the evening of Oct. 8.
Do you believe personal diplomacy and high-pressure tactics are more effective than traditional diplomatic channels in resolving international conflicts?