Netanyahu Rejects Trump's Claims of Control Over Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel follows his instructions during the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem on Sunday. The friction follows an Axios interview in which Trump asserted that Israel "does as I say" regarding strikes on Lebanon and claimed the nation would not exist without his support.

Netanyahu characterized the relationship as one of mutual respect between independent leaders, stating that while they often agree, they occasionally do not see eye to eye. This disagreement emerges as the two nations manage a joint war against Iran that began on February 28. Trump has specifically criticized ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon, arguing they could sabotage a recently signed agreement with Tehran.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee attempted to reinforce the alliance during the summit, describing the bond between the two countries as unbreakable and reaffirming Trump's commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance warned members of the Israeli cabinet against attacking the United States, describing the U.S. as Israel's only remaining powerful ally in the world.