Prime Minister Netanyahu said Thursday that maintaining contact with Israel's American allies is important, but reiterated that Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon. The statement comes amid reported tensions with the Trump administration over the pace and scope of an IDF pullout from Lebanon as part of regional understandings.
Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a brief statement Thursday afternoon in which he described the need to maintain ties with American allies as important, while firmly stating that Israel will not retreat from the security zone it maintains in southern Lebanon.
The one-sentence remark, posted by his office, does not specify which American officials he was referring to, but comes amid a series of public disagreements between Netanyahu and the Trump administration over the Lebanon front. As The Zioneer reported over the past week, the rift has included Trump's open criticism of Israeli tactics in Lebanon, Netanyahu's refusal to be bound by a Lebanon clause in the emerging US-Iran agreement, and the Prime Minister's assertion that he 'stands up for Israeli interests.'
Netanyahu's formulation — stressing the importance of the relationship while ruling out a concession the US has reportedly pressed for — echoes his earlier comment in a closed forum that 'you can stretch the relationship but must not tear it.' Thursday's statement appears designed to signal resolve without escalating the public spat.
4 developments
- DevelopingNetanyahu tells Trump Israel won't withdraw from Lebanon, abandon north
- StrongKatz: Netanyahu told Trump Israel won't withdraw from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones
- StrongIsraeli fears: Trump pressure on Netanyahu over south Lebanon withdrawal to persist after Iran MOU
- DevelopingTrump presses Netanyahu to withdraw from Lebanon by Friday
Source and signal
- Internal intake