Trump conditionally backs Netanyahu before Israel's elections as US-Iran deal strains their ties

US President Donald Trump has said it is highly likely he will support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the October elections, while urging Netanyahu to take more rational actions and waiting to see other candidates.

“I’ll have to look at who’s running, but I like Bibi (Netanyahu) very much. I would be most likely to endorse him,” Trump told Israeli broadcaster KAN News.

“But I need to see who is running. I have a good relationship with Bibi, but he needs to be more rational. I am willing to meet with him. He’s doing a very good job; he’s got to be a little bit more rational.”

His remarks follow US-Israel tensions over Trump’s Iran peace deal, which defers nuclear talks while offering sanctions relief — a decision Israeli officials criticise as a significant concession and Netanyahu’s extremist ministers describe as a betrayal.

Netanyahu’s Likud leads polls but lacks a majority, as Israeli troops occupy parts of Lebanon, besieged Gaza, and Syria despite US-Iran terms, highlighting strains in the US-Israeli alliance.

Trump has slammed Netanyahu’s handling of Lebanon invasion, particularly urging more restraint and “responsibility.”

At a press conference wrapping up the G7 summit in France, Trump publicly rebuked Netanyahu’s approach, saying, “We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I say, ‘You can do a little softer touch, Bibi. You don’t have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that’s from Hezbollah.'”

Netanyahu “gets a little excited sometimes,” said Trump, adding, “I’m not saying they shouldn’t protect themselves. I’m saying when two drones are shot into the desert and drop harmlessly, you don’t have to knock down buildings in Beirut. They could behave better, and frankly, they could do a better job.”

He added that he feels “very bad for Lebanon” and that Israel “could do a much better job with Hezbollah,” stating, “I don’t think they’re doing well, and I feel very bad for Lebanon.”

In a tense private call over Israel’s invasion in Lebanon, which threatened US-Iran negotiations, Trump reportedly lashed out strongly, calling Netanyahu “f_____ crazy” and even using strong language like “What the f___ are you doing?”

Trump even accused Netanyahu of ingratitude, reportedly telling the Israeli leader: “You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”