Israeli Media : Trump will oust Netanyahu due to the high cost of his “maintenance” .

In an opinion piece in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, writer Eran Yashiv suggests that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will not miss any opportunity to oust Benjamin Netanyahu, who requires “high maintenance,” despite their previous friendship. Yashiv, an economics lecturer, believes it is in Trump’s interest to remove Netanyahu from power due to his constant need for attention, care, and support. He notes that this is not a precise prediction but an analysis of Trump’s “unpredictable” stance, with economic considerations at the forefront.

Yashiv argues that Netanyahu is seen by Americans as requiring “high maintenance,” with Israel receiving nearly $18 billion in military aid from the U.S. over the past year. Trump has expressed a desire not to spend American taxpayers’ money on foreign conflicts, including in Ukraine and Israel, and has acted accordingly, as ongoing unrest in the Middle East is not on his agenda.

Yashiv questions whether Trump has any commitment to Netanyahu and answers “no,” suggesting that Trump despises Netanyahu and resents the Israeli Prime Minister’s relationship with U.S. President Joe Biden. Now that Trump is free from electoral considerations, his campaign promises hold little value, according to Yashiv.

The writer proposes two ways Trump could “oust” Netanyahu: first, by sending a message to Israeli parties, especially the hardline ones, that “Netanyahu’s career is over,” which they are likely to comply with quickly. Second, by exerting financial pressure and using a “carrot and stick” approach with Netanyahu, his Likud party, and other “power brokers,” potentially removing him from power easily.

Netanyahu’s office stated on Wednesday that the Israeli Prime Minister spoke with Trump to congratulate him on his election victory, describing the conversation as “warm and friendly,” and that they discussed the “Iranian threat” and the need to work together for Israel’s security. Netanyahu wrote on X that Trump’s “historic return to the White House gives the United States a new beginning and renews the great alliance between Israel and the United States.” Trump, in turn, mentioned that his conversation with Netanyahu was “very good.”

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