Do Trump and Netanyahu Really Stand on the Same Side of Every Issue?

Last Tuesday, President Trump posted to his social media page on X, stating that he and Prime Minister Netanyahu “are on the same side of every issue.” However, the events of the past few days have proven this statement to be inaccurate.

Despite numerous calls from Trump to reach a nuclear deal with Iran through diplomatic means, Israeli officials such as Defense Minister Katz and Benjamin Netanyahu have openly pushed for dismantling Iran’s nuclear program through force. While Trump has advocated for using “maximum pressure” tactics — including sanctions and diplomatic isolation — he has repeatedly stopped short of endorsing military strikes unless absolutely necessary. Netanyahu, on the other hand, has for years warned that diplomacy alone is insufficient, framing Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat to Israel that demands direct and potentially preemptive military action.

In relation to the recent humanitarian situation in Gaza, Trump has recently called on Netanyahu to stop the blockage of food and necessary resources to the enclave. On Friday, he expressed his concern to the Prime Minister, stating that “we’ve got to be good to Gaza” and allow more aid into the strip. In response, Trump claimed that Netanyahu “felt well about it [the idea of allowing aid back in].” Nevertheless, nothing has changed since their phone call as the border remains sealed for the second month in a row.

The recent friction between Trump and Netanyahu highlights a growing pattern: even as Israeli and American leaders increasingly diverge on major policy questions, they continue to project the appearance of unwavering alignment.