Trump, Vance warn Israeli officials against attacking Washington
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have warned Israeli officials against criticising Washington, exposing growing tensions in the US-Israel alliance.
The unusually blunt remarks from the two US leaders highlight increasing friction between Washington and some members of Israel’s government over the country’s military operations and diplomatic strategy.
Trump took aim at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to attacks linked to Hezbollah, suggesting Israel’s military actions have at times been excessive.
“Bibi Netanyahu gets a little excited sometimes,” Trump said.
“Bibi, you don’t have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that’s from Hezbollah,” he added.
Vance delivered an even stronger message to Israeli cabinet members, expressing concern over reports that some officials have publicly criticised Trump and opposed efforts to broker a regional deal.
“If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have left,” Vance said.
He added that roughly two-thirds of the defensive weapons protecting Israel over the past three months were built in the United States and funded by American taxpayers.
“The problem for Israel is not Donald J. Trump, and anybody in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the President of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation that country is in,” Vance said.
According to the vice president, Trump remains the only world leader with significant influence who is strongly backing Israel while leading the world’s most powerful country.
Vance said Netanyahu has largely avoided criticising the Trump administration directly but warned that Israeli officials who view Trump as Israel’s main problem are ignoring the country’s strategic dependence on American support.
