(SeaPRwire) –
By: Marcus Sinclair
Jerusalem’s worst fear is playing out right now. Trump could turn his back on Netanyahu. This comes as they clash over a US-Iran deal. The IDF’s second Beirut strike amplified tension last Sunday.
A diplomat in Iran talks told reporters the Beirut strikes are derailing the deal. They called the strikes a deliberate sabotage attempt. Trump condemned the strikes on Truth Social. He told Axios Netanyahu had “no f—ing judgment”. Earlier this month, he called Netanyahu “crazy” over the first Beirut strike. Natan Sachs, a Middle East Institute fellow, confirmed this fear is rational. He pointed to a strategic split between the allies. Netanyahu favors long-term military pressure. Trump wants quick diplomatic wins. Israel put all its eggs in Trump’s basket, a historic mistake. Operation Epic Fury and Roaring Lion launched on February 28. Netanyahu plans for years, Trump for quick wins. The two share some goals: curb Iran’s nuclear program, end Hezbollah in Lebanon, and a post-Hamas Gaza. But they haven’t agreed on a shared strategic plan to hit those goals. Netanyahu is erudite, patient and suspicious. Trump uses social media heavily, hates long planning. Netanyahu likes to frame himself as a reader. Trump would rather post than read. Netanyahu prefers to manage problems over time. Trump wants immediate results. Pakistani mediators are running the Iran talks. On June 11, Netanyahu’s office said Jerusalem isn’t part of the US-Iran MOU. On June 12, Netanyahu said Iran wants to destroy Israel. He vowed to stop them. Last Sunday, a senior Israeli official said Hezbollah targeted Israeli civilians for three days. Israel is preparing for Iranian retaliation.
The core divide is time horizons and national priorities. Israel can’t afford to walk away from US support. Trump, though, has already grown frustrated with Netanyahu. If he tires entirely, he could flip his stance on Israel. That’s the nightmare scenario for Jerusalem.
Author bio: Marcus Sinclair, Senior Fellow at a prominent European geopolitical and security think tank focused on Middle East diplomatic dynamics.