Friends, ‘F*** Him’ To Joining His War: How Trump’s Relationship With Netanyahu Changed Over Years

Last Updated:June 23, 2025, 19:41 IST

Is US President Donald Trump a friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Have they always been friends? How has their equation changed over Trump's two tenures

In this March 25, 2019 file photo, President Donald Trump smiles at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) after signing a proclamation at the White House in Washington. (AP File)

US President Donald Trump on Saturday entered the Israel-Iran war by conducting strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. Through the start of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, Trump has been vocal about his stand against Iran and support for Israel’s moves.

“Congratulations, President Trump, your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history," Netanyahu said in a video on X after the US strikes on Iran.

So is Trump a friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Have they always been friends?

From an alliance during Trump’s first term, to tension, and now a renewed but cautious strategic partnership, a look at their relationship:

DURING TRUMP’S FIRST TERM FROM 2017-2021

Trump shared a close bond with Netanyahu during his first term leading to some major moves and even praise in public.

In 2017, Trump formally recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a major diplomatic victory for Netanyahu. The US embassy was moved there in 2018. Two years later, Trump signed an executive order recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. In 2020, Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, the normalisation agreements between Israel and several Arab states — UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, with Netanyahu involved.

Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018 and often called Netanyahu “a great prime minister" and “a friend."

AFTER 2021

Netanyahu congratulated Joe Biden in 2020 before Trump conceded the election. Trump viewed this as a betrayal, reportedly saying: “F*** him."

In various interviews, Trump accused Netanyahu of being disloyal and self-serving.

2023-2025

During his second term, Trump and Netanyahu are sharing a relationship that can be called conditional cooperation.

As Israel attacked Iran, Trump publicly backed Israel’s right to self-defense. He also supported Netanyahu’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The US President has now moved U.S. strategic bombers into the region.

However, despite their military cooperation, Trump has not praised Netanyahu personally. Media reports have defined their meetings “professional, not friendly".

According to the Israeli media, Netanyahu sees Trump as “useful but unpredictable".

After the Saturday strikes, Netanyahu said, ““In tonight’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on Earth could do. History will recall that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime, the world’s most dangerous weapons… President Trump and I often say: ‘Peace through strength.’ First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength."

Trump spoke to Netanyahu after the US military launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, a senior White House official told AFP Saturday. The United States also “gave Israel a heads-up before the strikes" as Trump joined the Israeli forces in the ongoing conflict.

With Agency Inputs

Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...Read More

At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...

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News explainers Friends, ‘F*** Him’ To Joining His War: How Trump’s Relationship With Netanyahu Changed Over Years