According to the Jerusalem post, Israeli government officials and coalition lawmakers sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday after reports emerged that he had ordered the cancellation of a planned military strike in Lebanon following pressure from US President Donald Trump.
The decision sparked a political backlash from members of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, who argued that Israel’s security interests should not be subordinated to Washington’s demands, particularly amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah and repeated ceasefire violations along the northern border.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir led the criticism, calling on the government to resist American pressure.
“This is the time to tell our friend, President Trump – ‘no’,” Ben-Gvir wrote on X/Twitter. “Israel is an independent and sovereign state. We cannot allow our enemies to dictate the rules of engagement through international pressure.”
According to Israeli media reports, the strike had been approved by military officials in response to alleged Hezbollah activity in southern Lebanon. However, the operation was reportedly halted after direct intervention from the White House, which feared that further escalation could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at preserving regional stability.
Opposition figures and security analysts were divided over the decision. Some argued that Netanyahu had acted responsibly by avoiding a wider conflict that could draw in additional regional actors, including Iran-backed militias. Others accused the government of projecting weakness at a time when deterrence remains a critical component of Israel’s security strategy.
Several coalition lawmakers echoed Ben-Gvir’s remarks, arguing that Israel must retain full freedom of action against threats emanating from Lebanon regardless of international pressure. They warned that failure to respond decisively could embolden Hezbollah and other hostile groups operating along Israel’s northern frontier.
Government officials close to Netanyahu defended the move, saying strategic coordination with the United States remains a cornerstone of Israeli national security. They stressed that operational decisions are made based on a broad assessment of military, diplomatic, and intelligence considerations rather than political pressure alone.
The controversy comes amid growing debate inside Israel over the balance between maintaining close ties with Washington and preserving independent military decision-making. The issue has become increasingly sensitive as regional tensions continue to simmer despite international efforts to prevent a broader conflict.
Neither Netanyahu’s office nor the White House immediately provided detailed public comments regarding the reported cancellation. However, the political fallout highlighted ongoing divisions within Israel’s leadership over how aggressively the country should respond to security threats while managing its crucial relationship with the United States.
As criticism mounted, Ben-Gvir and his allies continued to insist that Israel must prioritize its own security calculations, arguing that decisions concerning military action should ultimately be determined in Jerusalem rather than Washington.
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