Officials have described Netanyahu’s approach as erratic and disruptive. “Bibi is acting like a madman. He bombs everything all the time,” one US official told Axios. Another added, “Netanyahu is sometimes like a child who just won’t behave.”
The growing anger among top US advisers follows a series of Israeli strikes, including one that damaged Gaza’s Holy Family Church, a Roman Catholic parish. Israeli authorities said “stray ammunition” hit the church and that the shell fragments were the result of operational activity in the area.
Netanyahu’s office claimed the incident was a mistake.
The church bombing drew a direct response from Trump himself, who placed an angry phone call to Netanyahu demanding an explanation. After Netanyahu said the strike was unintentional, Trump insisted that Israel issue a public statement clarifying the error.
The Israeli government complied.
Despite these tensions, Trump has publicly continued to back Netanyahu, especially in relation to the prime minister’s legal troubles. On June 25, Trump wrote, “I was shocked to hear that the State of Israel, which has just had one of its Greatest Moments in History, and is strongly led by Bibi Netanyahu, is continuing its ridiculous Witch Hunt against their Great War Time Prime Minister! Bibi Netanyahu was a WARRIOR, like perhaps no other Warrior in the History of Israel.” Days later, Trump threatened to withhold U.S. aid if the charges against Netanyahu were not dropped.
Concern within the administration continues to mount however. “The feeling is that every day there is something new,” another official told Axios. “What the f*ck?”
Tensions are also flaring over Israel’s actions in Syria. Six US officials said the White House remains alarmed even after a US-brokered ceasefire paused fighting in Sweida, a region in southern Syria. They warned that Netanyahu’s “regional policies” could destabilize the situation further.
Axios said that Netanyahu’s spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
