Lapid expressed gratitude to Trump for launching the war with Israel, but criticized Netanyahu for allowing Washington to negotiate a potential deal with little coordination with Israel. “The Israeli government is at an all-time low in its ability to influence decisions in Washington,” he said, noting that Trump said last week: “Netanyahu
will do whatever I want him to do.”
Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed to Trump that Israel maintains “freedom of action” against threats in any arena, according to an official familiar with Israel prime minister’s conversations with Trump, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. “Israel is a sovereign state, we are not a vassal state and we are not a protectorate,” Lapid said.