Israeli Cabinet Crisis: Critics Claim Netanyahu Under Washington’s Influence
A planned Israeli attack on Beirut was halted following a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a move that sparked widespread criticism among cabinet members and political figures in Israel.
According to Palestinian media, Netanyahu and Israel Katz, Israel’s Defense Minister, had previously announced a directive for a large-scale attack on Beirut, but shortly after Trump’s call with Netanyahu, the operation was called off. This sudden U-turn has ignited debates regarding the extent of Washington’s influence over Tel Aviv’s military decisions.
Yair Lapid, leader of the Israeli opposition, responded by stating that the country has effectively been placed under tutelage. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also told the newspaper “Israel Hayom” that Netanyahu’s government has lost control over Israel’s sovereignty.
Avigdor Lieberman, former Defense Minister, harshly criticized Netanyahu, labeling him a “scarecrow” and accusing him of being incapable of independent decision-making. Meanwhile, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of Internal Security, called for ignoring Trump’s request to halt the attack and emphasized the need for military action against Hezbollah.
Several right-wing media personalities also viewed the decision as evidence of direct U.S. influence. Israel’s Channel 13 reported that Netanyahu’s office remained silent amid these developments, raising concerns about the independence of Israel’s political and military decision-making.
Meanwhile, Trump announced on the social media platform Truth Social that he had a “constructive” conversation with Netanyahu and stated that no forces would be deployed to Beirut. He also claimed to have contacted Hezbollah through senior representatives and that both sides had agreed to a full ceasefire.
Trump added that a ceasefire agreement has been reached in Lebanon and that negotiations with Iran are progressing at a faster pace. Israeli media had previously reported on the phone conversation between Netanyahu and Trump.
