Amid anticipation, once more, over recent days of a potentially imminent hostage deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump were dismissing ongoing reports of tension in their ties, while nonetheless – according to aides – admitting that they sometimes have difficulties figuring each other out on a daily basis.
“It’s ridiculous to accuse Netanyahu for the length of this war. It’s Biden who is to blame. He was so weak and empowered Hamas by challenging Israel and holding back assistance,” said one White House aide. “Having said that,” the aide added, “we wish Netanyahu wouldn’t have the political shackles that sometimes seem to prevent him from acting more independently.”
Another Trump administration official voiced frustration that “We don’t know where to turn anymore, looking at the Israeli political scene: the ultra-Orthodox who don’t want to help the military effort, the cabinet ministers who want to continue the war no matter what, and members of the opposition who probably want to see Bibi in jail.”
The difficulties of reaching a hostage deal
I challenged the US administration official, noting that top Israeli opposition figures, including opposition leader Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, have pledged to keep the government afloat in order to ensure a hostage deal.
“Yeah, but the trial against the prime minister is getting in the way,” the presidential aide retorted. “It’s happened more than once that the president, or someone from our team, had to speak to the prime minister about an urgent matter, and we were told: ’Let’s see if we can get him out of the courtroom.’”
“Are you kidding me?” the aide continued. “What’s more important? The Israeli public so badly wants a hostage deal, and we have to be told that Bibi is stuck on the witness stand, or whatever, and has to ask permission to leave the room.”
Israeli and US officials acknowledge that conversations between the two leaders have included “colorful language” at times but insist that it’s a testament to the close relationship.
Israeli officials say that keeping track of the US president’s moves each day can be “dizzying.” In the words of one source in Jerusalem: “The president will tell us and the world through social media that there is a deal that is imminent. We understand that it’s a way of showing that he remains committed and of putting pressure on Qatar and Hamas, and there, in fact, have been breakthroughs.”
The Israeli source added: “Don’t forget that the breakthroughs began even before Trump entered the White House,” a reference to the series of hostage releases, which started on January 19, the day before Trump’s current presidential term began.
The Israeli official asked me: “When are you publishing this article?”
“Tuesday,” I replied.
“OK, there could be a breakthrough by then, or maybe not. Listen, any delays are not the president’s fault. He is trying, and there are partners also working hard to help.” He hinted that the Saudis are helping, but wouldn’t confirm.
I turned the tables, suggesting to the Israeli official that “perhaps the prime minister is slowing the process.”
“That’s insane,” he replied adamantly. “Enough of playing this game that Israel is to blame when Hamas is still there in Gaza and still bent on our destruction. They understand only one language: military force and more force.”
The dynamic in Netanyahu and Trump's public relationship
The dynamic in the public relationship has included Netanyahu nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize and Trump sending the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, to attend the Netanyahu trial.
“Was that a bit heavy-handed and an intervention in Israel’s internal affairs?” I asked a White House aide.
“Hey, I told you that the trial is affecting Netanyahu’s ability to handle affairs of state, including the war and the hostage issue,” he responded. “We wanted a direct glimpse of what was going on.”
“What were the impressions of Ambassador Huckabee?” I asked.
“I’m not saying,” the White House aide replied curtly.
“Is Qatar really playing a constructive role, or is the president swept away by their ability to financially rebuild the region and therefore doesn’t think that even though they have hosted Hamas, they are a state that sponsors terror?” I asked.
“That’s very shallow of you to suggest,” he charged. “They have indeed played a constructive role in achieving progress.” He refused to elaborate.
As of this writing, Israeli sources are indeed expressing optimism that there could be a breakthrough on the hostage issue. Many – though certainly not all – hostage families have been accusing Netanyahu of delaying a deal.
According to a source close to the prime minister: “There are many more hostage families who support Mr. Netanyahu’s policy, but many of them think it’s wiser to stay silent and let him do the job.”
Hostage families have also expressed gratitude to Trump. Said a Trump aide: “We appreciate their gratitude, and let’s be honest, imagine how terrible the situation would be if Kamala Harris were president right now.”
I asked an Israeli official about that comment. “You’re not going to get me to answer that question,” he replied defiantly. “Our two countries know how to work together, but yes, the dynamic between the president and the prime minister has helped us to make significant progress, not only against Hamas, but – of course – against Iran itself.”
The writer is op-ed editor of The Jerusalem Post.