[Trump Endorses Netanyahu, but Allies Express Concern]
Although Trump has explicitly endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel’s election, his inner circle holds a different view. In fact, Trump’s support for Netanyahu stems largely from familiarity—having known him for years—while he remains unfamiliar with other Israeli candidates, having had no prior interactions with them.
A U.S. official told Axios that after prolonged deliberation, Trump formally expressed support for Netanyahu—but this decision drew criticism from his advisers. According to these advisors, Netanyahu has not been aligned with Trump’s Middle East agenda, and a different leader in Israel might better advance the administration’s objectives.
Over the past year, several of Trump’s senior advisers have voiced dissatisfaction with Netanyahu. Even Jared Kushner, who maintains close personal ties with Netanyahu, has expressed significant disappointment. Both Kushner and White House adviser David Wightkoff believe Netanyahu bears substantial responsibility for the stagnation of the Gaza peace plan, as he has consistently resisted advancing Trump’s diplomatic initiatives.
Meanwhile, Tom Barak, Trump’s special envoy for Syria, has grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu’s government for repeatedly authorizing Israeli air strikes on Syria—actions that have directly undermined Trump’s strategic priorities in the region.
To these figures, Trump’s endorsement of Netanyahu appears counterproductive. They argue that a different leadership in Israel would likely facilitate greater progress on Trump’s Middle East agenda and improve coordination between the U.S. and Israel.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1880020280329292/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.