In a phone call that was reportedly filled with profanities, President Trump lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on June 1 over Israel’s escalating actions in Lebanon, according to sources familiar with the conversation.
Two sources said Trump called Netanyahu “crazy” and accused him of being “ungrateful.” He also reportedly blocked an Israeli plan to strike Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.
A U.S. official said Trump told Netanyahu that bombing Beirut would only deepen Israel’s international isolation.
The official quoted Trump as saying: “You’re f**king crazy. If it weren’t for me, you’d be in prison by now. I’ve been saving your ass. Now everyone hates you, and because of you, everyone hates Israel.”
Another person with knowledge of the call said Trump was “furious” and at one point shouted at Netanyahu: “What the f**k are you doing?”
The same U.S. official noted that while Trump acknowledged Hezbollah had been firing at Israel and Israel had a right to defend itself, he believed Netanyahu had “overreacted” with the recent military escalation in Lebanon.
Beyond the threat to Beirut, Israeli forces had also expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, according to reports.
Another U.S. official said Trump was concerned about the high number of civilian deaths in Lebanon and opposed the Israeli practice of leveling entire buildings to take out a single Hezbollah commander.
That official said Trump “shut down” Netanyahu during the call. “Netanyahu said, ‘Okay, okay, just make sure everything is handled properly,’” the official recounted.
One official described the conversation as one of the most tense between Trump and Netanyahu since Trump returned to the White House.
Trump’s anger appeared to stem from his belief that Netanyahu’s decision to escalate in Lebanon was jeopardizing ongoing talks with Iran, the report said.
After the call, Trump posted on social media that negotiations with Iran were “moving along quickly.”
Netanyahu, in a statement following the call, said he had told Trump that if Hezbollah didn’t stop attacking Israel, Israel would strike targets in Beirut and continue military operations in southern Lebanon.
“Our position remains unchanged,” Netanyahu wrote.
An Israeli official later told reporters that Israel no longer planned to hit Hezbollah targets in Beirut.
