Is Netanyahu’s Trump card losing its power in Israel?

As US ties fray, Netanyahu’s claim to unrivalled influence in Washington is under growing scrutiny.Published On 28 Jul 2026Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long presented his closeness to the United States – both politically and personally – as evidence of his indispensability to Israel.Arriving with a camera-ready American accent after spending a large portion of his youth in the country, Netanyahu is said to have used his unique understanding of US politics to charm and cajole numerous presidents into maintaining their unflagging support of Israel and his personal political projects.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Israeli ex-generals urge Trump to push Netanyahu on ‘Settler Terror’list 2 of 4‘War criminal’: Protesters confront Netanyahu motorcade in Washington DClist 3 of 4Netanyahu meets Trump at the White House: What’s on the agenda, what’s nextlist 4 of 4Trump flouts political risk to host Netanyahu’s seventh White House visitend of listFor a time it appeared as though US President Donald Trump was the most amenable of all past presidents to Israel and to Netanyahu, particularly after he became the first US leader to agree to participate in a joint war with Israel against Iran.And yet, with that war stalling, Trump appearing more willing to make deals in the Middle East without Israeli input, and increasing criticism of Israel in the US, there is a sense in Israel that Netanyahu’s Trump card may not be as useful as it once was.That has come at a bad time for Netanyahu, who faces an election at home in late October and an ongoing trial for corruption, as well as several unresolved conflicts in the region.Netanyahu’s visit to Washington on Tuesday to meet Trump – his first since the Iran" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="42102" data-entity-type="event">War on Iran began – therefore is an opportunity for a refresh – and a photo opportunity to remind the Israeli public of his ties to the US president.The opticsStrains in Netanyahu’s relationship with Trump have been growing since the start of the Iran" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="42102" data-entity-type="event">War on Iran, after reporting emerged that it was the Israeli prime minister who convinced the US president of the feasibility of the mission, and the potential for the Iranian state to be overthrown.