Posted originally on CTH on December 29, 2025 | Sundance

The sense you get from reviewing the interactions is that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is nervous in his need to maintain very close support from U.S. President Donald Trump.  When we review the interaction, we see Netanyahu’s praise of President Trump through a prism of tenuous dependency.

Netanyahu needs to retain a close and favorable position of influence; yet there is something in the engagement that seems to indicate an unease, a nervousness visible within the Prime Minister of Israel.

The moment at 10:48 is important, “Someone said in the room: if you don’t have Trump“… and the U.S. President strategically decided to let that thought trail off without finishing.  However, in context it was very clear what would have come next if Trump didn’t restrain himself.  “Someone said in the room: if you don’t have Trump”… you don’t have Netanyahu, was likely the end of that thought, and Trump isn’t wrong.  Benjamin Netanyahu’s body language, facial expressions and overall demeanor imply agreement.

Bibi knows the unspoken words are accurate, so does everyone who supports Bibi – especially those pro-Israel voices inside the USA.  Also, within that geopolitical dynamic, you will find President Trump’s leverage and an understanding of the behavior for those who support Netanyahu’s government.  WATCH:

The non-pretending review of Netanyahu’s purpose for the visit, is to get additional support from President Trump for more military action against Iran.  President Trump knows the intents and motives behind the shaped information from Netanyahu, the Israeli government and U.S. donors and voices.

President Trump emphasized strongly how the Arab coalition supports the elimination of Hamas as a terrorist threat, not just the United States.  This emphasis on retaining the original peace agreement continues to pull the narrative away from the U.S. having to give support to ongoing Israel military action in Gaza.   “If Hamas doesn’t disarm voluntarily” the Arab countries will disarm them President Trump suggested.

Benjamin Netanyahu is not going to be able to pull the Trump administration into military engagement in Iran.  That part is clear from the tone and presentation of Netanyahu as well as the space between the words of Trump.