"Is He Still With Us?" Why Netanyahu Left the White House Fearing a Trump Betrayal
Prime Minister Netanyahu has reportedly expressed deep concern that President Trump may be pivoting toward a diplomatic deal, as Israeli officials blast the White House for failing to address Iran’s ballistic missiles and regional proxies.
While the world watches the diplomatic theater in Geneva, a significant and dangerous rift is opening between the leadership of the United States and Israel. Senior officials in Jerusalem are expressing deep disappointment and anxiety over the current direction of the negotiations led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The primary source of friction is the American focus on nuclear enrichment, which ignores Israel’s demand for the total dismantling of Iran’s ballistic missile program and its regional terrorist proxies. This strategic disagreement reportedly reached a breaking point during a recent meeting at the White House, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walked away feeling uncertain about the President’s resolve, later asking an American official, "Is he still with us? I am worried."
The Omission of the Missile Threat
For the Israeli security establishment, a deal that only addresses uranium enrichment is considered a "victory for the Ayatollahs." Israeli officials argue that even if the nuclear program is frozen, the Iranian regime remains an existential threat through its massive arsenal of long-range missiles and its funding of terrorist groups. "Middling" diplomacy that fails to neutralize these threats is seen as a strategic failure. While the US envoys are pushing for a "victory photo" and a signed document in Geneva, Jerusalem is preparing for a scenario where they may have to act alone if the American deal leaves the missile infrastructure intact.
The Debate in the Inner Circle
The tension is exacerbated by the conflicting voices within the Trump administration. While Kushner and Witkoff support the diplomatic track, other close associates like Senator Lindsey Graham are urging the President to ignore the "soft" advisors and launch a strike immediately. Graham has been vocal in his support for the Israeli position, calling for a military campaign that would target not only nuclear facilities but also the regime’s security apparatus and its top leadership. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to land in Israel this weekend, his primary mission will be to reassure Netanyahu that the United States remains committed to a total victory, even if the Friday talks in Geneva produce a temporary pause in the war.