Michael Ratney, former acting US chargé d'affaires to Israel, said Trump is trying to balance personal antipathy toward Netanyahu with a drive to project a staunchly pro‑Israel image, leaving him in an "unusual position" — he wants to be seen as one of the most resolute US defenders of Israel, yet Netanyahu appears to repeatedly irritate him.

2026-08-12

Michael Ratney, former acting US chargé d'affaires to Israel, said Trump is trying to balance personal antipathy toward Netanyahu with a drive to project a staunchly pro‑Israel image, leaving him in an "unusual position" — he wants to be seen as one of the most resolute US defenders of Israel, yet Netanyahu appears to repeatedly irritate him.