How Trump bullied Netanyahu | Planet America

Key Concepts

• Trump's Diplomatic Bullying
• Netanyahu's Concessions
• Peace Deal Negotiation
• West Bank Annexation
• Hamas Hostage Release
• US-Israel Relations

Trump's Assertive Role in the Peace Deal

The transcript suggests that if the current peace deal holds, former President Trump deserves significant credit, primarily due to his forceful and unconventional approach, described as "bullying," towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The speaker posits that this outcome might not have been achievable without Trump's direct intervention.

Netanyahu's Initial Resistance and Trump's Forceful Response

According to Axios, Netanyahu initially expressed strong disapproval of the peace plan, specifically Heras's attempt to negotiate some of Trump's 20-point peace plan. Netanyahu reportedly told Trump, "This is nothing to celebrate and that it doesn't mean anything." Trump, however, responded assertively, stating, "I don't know why you're always soing negative. This is a win. take it." Trump effectively "ordered Netanyahu to shut up and get on board," demonstrating a non-negotiable stance.

Pattern of Trump's Pressure on Netanyahu

This incident is presented as part of a broader pattern of Trump exerting significant pressure on Netanyahu throughout the year:

• Aborting Iran Counter-strike: Trump reportedly forced Netanyahu to abort a major counter-strike in Iran.
• West Bank Annexation: Trump ordered Netanyahu not to annex the West Bank.
• Hostage Release Negotiation: Trump negotiated the release of an American hostage from Hamas, notably doing so behind Netanyahu's back.
• Apology to Qatar: Trump compelled Netanyahu to apologize to Qatar for a recent strike.

These instances illustrate a consistent strategy of Trump dictating terms to Netanyahu, rather than engaging in traditional diplomatic negotiation.

Netanyahu's Limited Options and Trump's Leverage

The transcript highlights Netanyahu's precarious position, suggesting he "basically has to lump it" because he has "no other options left except for Trump." This implies Netanyahu's political survival or strategic objectives were heavily reliant on Trump's support, and he understood that Trump "could literally dump him at any moment." Trump himself underscored this leverage, telling Axios, "I said, 'Bibby, this is your chance for victory.' He was fine with it. He's got to be fine with it. He has no choice with me. You've got to be fine." This statement emphasizes Trump's belief that Netanyahu had no alternative but to accept the terms.

Potential Impact and Credit

While acknowledging that the deal is still in its "early days" and "could easily still fall apart," and that there "may well have been a less bloodthirsty way of achieving the same deal," the speaker concludes that if the deal succeeds, Trump would have "pulled something off here that Biden might not have been able to do." This achievement, if realized, would earn Trump "genuine credit" for his unique and forceful diplomatic approach.

Conclusion

The summary emphasizes that Trump's unconventional, highly assertive, and often confrontational diplomatic style with Benjamin Netanyahu was a critical factor in the potential success of the peace deal. Despite the early stage of the agreement and the controversial nature of Trump's methods, the transcript suggests that his direct "bullying" and leverage over Netanyahu were instrumental in pushing through an arrangement that might have otherwise stalled, potentially earning him significant credit for an outcome that traditional diplomacy might not have achieved.