Free Republic

US President Donald Trump urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call last week to begin withdrawing Israeli troops from southern Syria and Lebanon, Barak Ravid of Channel 12 and Axios reported Tuesday, citing American and Israeli officials.According to the report on the Thursday call, Trump warned that Israel’s military presence in Syrian territory is creating tensions that could lead to an escalation, telling Netanyahu, “They don’t want you there. You should redeploy.” He reportedly made a similar request regarding Lebanon......Netanyahu was said to push back, citing Israel’s security needs.

Residents of northern Israel reacted with anger and dismay on Thursday following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an Israeli ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, while opposition lawmakers berated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for capitulating to the Americans and allowing a truce to be imposed on Israel. Moshe Davidovich, who serves as the head of the “Forum of Front-Line Communities, charged that agreements are “signed in Washington” but “paid in blood, in destroyed homes and in dismantled communities here. “A ceasefire that does not include lethal enforcement against Hezbollah for every violation and a buffer zone free of terror up...