Posted on 05/20/2026 11:59:57 AM PDT by McGruff
While talking to the press on Wednesday, President Donald Trump was asked about his conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Iran.
Trump responded, "He's fine, he'll do whatever I want him to do."
He added, "He's a great guy. Don't forget he's a wartime prime minister, and he's not treated right in Israel in my opinion."
The US President then went on to claim that his approval rating in Israel is very high: "I'm at 99% in Israel, I can run for Prime Minister. So maybe after I do this, I'll go to Israel and run for Prime Minister."
(Excerpt) Read more at israelnationalnews.com ...
Rattle the press day LOL
LOL
Trump does have a knack for kneecapping allies. The last thing Netanyahu needs is for Trump to dismiss him as The Donald’s butt boy.
If Trump truly believes the Iranians will honor any agreement then he is an absolute fool.
You think that would kneecap him? He is wildly popular in Israel and could probably win an election easily. I honestly don’t know, but over there he is loved much more than Bibi. I thought he was 80% approval over there but of course Trump is going to embellish everything. When Israelis find out you are from the US they immediately light up and ask about Trump. The love to tell you how much they like him.
You forgot the /Sarcasm tag…
You're not treated right in this country either Mr. President.
Maybe Trump should move to Israel and run for office there.
“ Maybe Trump should move to Israel and run for office there.”
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Nah…. we’ll keep him. I can put up with his trolling and uber-exuberance.
Splody heads in the FR Allahu Akhbar Chorus!
Yeah, doesn’t help Netanyahu but helps Trump dispel the chattering right that “US policy is controlled by Israel”. Trump has made several statements to flip this script, including saying that he (Trump) “sort of forced Israel’s hand” into a bombing campaign. But it doesn’t seem to sink into those who want to say otherwise for whatever reasons they have (money, fame, clicks, views etc).
I was in Israel in early 2016 during the primaries and went around to all the shops that sell the novelty skullcaps “do you have one with Trump on it”? They had sports teams, cartoon characters, flags, all kinds of emblems and logos but when I asked for a Trump one they all kind of smiled and chuckled and said “no”.
I bet they got ‘em in stock now.
Some critics, particularly Israeli opposition figures and media outlets, have described Netanyahu as Trump’s “feckless lackey,” arguing that Netanyahu relies heavily on Trump’s support to stay in power.
Critics argue that Netanyahu keeps currying favor with Trump, shamelessly aligned himself with Trump to solidify support among Israeli voting blocs and to potentially avoid criminal cases burdening Netanyahu in Israel.
Others argue that Netanyahu is a crafty politician, aligning himself with Trump to advance Israel’s security interests, and to keep the billions in tax dollars rolling in.
Netanyahu has argued that his actions vis a vis Trump are aimed at protecting Israel, because Israel needs to create more and more enemies to survive as a mere sliver of land in the vast Mideast.
Insider reports indicate that there’s friction in the relationship, that Netanyahu “pushes and pushes,” which sometimes annoys Trump leading to instances where Trump has placed distance between himself and the Israeli government.
Trump himself has remarked that Netanyahu is “not the easiest guy to deal with.”
Still, it is a pragmatic alliance, each with opposite political goals.
The sense inside the White House is that the Israelis are constantly asking for more and more from the US and that Netanyahu’s paramount interest is his own self-interest.
US tax dollars fund the production and replenishment of Iron Dome systems for Israel.
As of early 2026, the Dome operates through massive US tax dollar aid packages.
In April 2024, prompted by Israeli lobbyists, the U.S. Congress approved an $8.7 billion aid package to Israel, which included $5.2 billion tax dollars dedicated to strengthening Israeli missile defense systems.
This US funding is used by Israel to buy interceptors (Tamir missiles) and batteries from the Israeli manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which are largely produced with US financing.
Each Iron Dome interceptor missile is estimated to cost between $20,000 and $100,000–$200,000, depending on production costs.
In summary, US tax dollars funded the Israeli Iron Dome’s development and production.
cont
cont
News reports say as of late 2025, Israel undertook a major expansion and upgrade of its Iron Dome air defense system, funded by $8.7 billion US tax dollars -— part of an Israeli aid package approved by Congress in April 2024.
This multi-billion US tax dollar contract with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems aims to replenish interceptors and enhance technology following high-intensity conflicts.
Key Aspects of Israel’s Iron Dome Upgrades & Costs:
The expansion is primarily financed by the $8.7 billion U.S. aid package, with $5.2 billion specifically for air defense.
US tax dollars are spent on producing a large new batch of Tamir interceptors as Israel integrates the “Iron Beam,” a high-energy laser system.
Iron Dome interceptors cost an estimated $40,000–$50,000+ per launch.
The system is being enhanced with US tax dollars to better defend Israel against short- and medium-range rockets, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
This $8.5 billion US tax dollar investment is in addition to previous US tax dollar funding, making the Israeli Iron Dome one of the most heavily funded US tax dollar missile defense systems in the world, with US tax dollar aid consistently covering significant Israeli production costs.
Source: American Friends Service Committee https://afsc.org
Netanyahu played a key role in cementing US tax dollar billions for Israel’s “the Iron Dome,” pivoting from Israel’s initial fully funded development to a joint initiative where the US has provided over $1.6 billion from 2011 to 2021.
Netanhayu “championed” the system’s strategic value to the US, leading to major US funding deals ($429 million in 2014, $1 billion in 2022).
Israel developed the system, but Netanyahu actively secured U.S. financial support for the procurement of expensive batteries and interceptors.
The Infamous “Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):”
Under the 2016 10-year MOU (covering 2019-2028) which was active during his tenure, Netanyahu helped secure an unprecedented $5 billion for missile defense, including the Iron Dome.
Netanyahu calculatedly “hailed U.S. purchases and funding of the system”, transforming it into a cornerstone of U.S.-Israel defense cooperation.
Since 2011, U.S. support has grown to include billions of dollars, and as of 2026, the U.S. funds almost all procurement for the system.
Netanyahu’s efforts were crucial in securing continued American taxpayer funding, particularly in securing $1 billion in additional funding in 2022 and further support during the Gaza conflicts. Not yet known is how many tax dollars Netanyahu inveigled for the ill-fated Iranian operation.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Reached with Israel
Sep 14, 2016 —
The total value of the new MOU, which covers FY2019- FY2028, is $38 billion ($3.8 billion per year).
National Archives -— U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel: Overview and Developments ... Jun 18, 2024 —
In 2016, the US and Israel signed their third 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) wrt military aid tax dollars from the US, covering the Iron Dome................
My comment was not about Trump’s popularity in Israel. It was about sandbagging Netanyahu, who is in a tough spot politically.
If Trump wants to boost Netanyahu, the thing to do is to express admiration for his leadership, his steadfast strategic partnership, his sage advice, etc.
But NO political leader in the world wants Trump — or any other foreign head of state — referring to him like a lackey who just takes orders and kowtows on command.
According to reports in Nov 2025, Israel is seeking an unprecedented 20-year security agreement with the United States. This proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would double the typical 10-year term and aims to lock in billions in annual military assistance until 2048.
Key details regarding this reported request include:
Duration and Amount: Israel is pushing for a 20-year deal to replace the current 10-year MOU that expires in 2028. It seeks to maintain or exceed the current $4 billion annual aid package.”America First”
To align with the Trump administration’s policy, the proposal includes provisions for funding to be used for joint US-Israel R&D in defense technology, AI, and missile defense, rather than purely direct aid, aiming to benefit the U.S. military industrial base.
The request comes despite increased scrutiny from some U.S. lawmakers regarding the use of American-supplied weapons in Gaza.
The deal is intended to span until the 100th anniversary of Israel’s independence.
Israel seeks 20-year military aid deal with U.S. -
Axios-—Nov 13, 2025 — Israel is seeking a new 20-year security agreement with the U.S. — doubling the usual term and adding “America First” provisions ...
Axios Doubling Down on US Aid to Israel with a 20 Year MOU ...Nov 17, 2025 —
Doubling Down on US Aid to Israel with a 20 Year MOU Should be a Nonstarter. November 17, 2025 –
Center for International Policy
What Every American Should Know About U.S. Aid to Israel
Jan 22, 2026 — January 22, 2026. As the sun starts to set on the latest iteration of a decade-long security agreement between the U.S. and Israel...
Center for International Policy
https://internationalpolicy.org › Resources
Nov 17, 2025 — “Israel’
In addition to tens of billions of weaponry gifts from US taxpayers, Israel is allowed to use United States arms stored in Israel, a program formally known as the War Reserve Stockpile Allies-Israel (WRSA-I).
These weapons are US-owned and -managed, intended for use by US forces, but Israel is permitted to access them in emergency situations with approval from the Pentagon.
Established in the 1980s, the US weapons stockpile in Israel acts as a US tax dollar paid “insurance policy” for Israel to quickly obtain critical ammunition during regional conflicts or wars without waiting for shipments of free arms from the US.
Access “requires” U.S. approval. In 2024, prompted by the Israeli lobby, the Biden administration “eased restrictions,” allowing Israel to access a “broader range of ammunition” from these stockpiles.
Israel notably used this arsenal during the 2006 Lebanon war and has utilized it, again, during the conflict in Gaza beginning in October 2023.
The weapons are officially US property, and US taxpayers pay Israel for the maintenance and storage.
Policy Shifts (2024–2025): Recent legislative changes and “emergency supplemental bills” by Congress have significantly “reduced US oversight,” removed many US “restrictions” on the types of weapons allowed in the stockpile, and “widened access” with “virtually unlimited” logistical support.
Congress, by law, dutifully made the US “legally committed” to maintaining Israel’s “Qualitative Military Edge,” which justifies this tax-paid US stockpile’s role in rapid replenishment.
While generally intended for defense, US officials have at times noted that the weapons are “subject” to international humanitarian law and U.S. law, though enforcing these restrictions in real-time has been challenging, as noted in 2024, and have never been enforced.
The WRSA-I program operates with “low transparency,” and there is no “public inventory” of its contents. It is not known whether US weaponry was transferred or sold off elsewhere to America’s enemies.
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