https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-child-who-just-wont-behave-us-said-fuming-at-madman-netanyahu-after-syria-strikes/
‘He bombs everything all the time’: US said fuming at ‘madman’ Netanyahu after Syria strikes
White House reportedly views actions as harming Trump peace efforts, calls PM ‘child who just won’t behave’; Jerusalem tried explaining need to defend Druze, Israeli official says
By Lazar Berman Follow
Today, 6:55 pm
he White House is alarmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decisions in Syria, multiple officials in US President Donald Trump’s administration were quoted Sunday as saying, branding the premier a “madman” and “a child who just won’t behave.”
'“Bibi acted like a madman. He bombs everything all the time,” 'a White House official was cited as saying by the Axios news outlet, using the premier’s nickname. “This could undermine what Trump is trying to do.”
Israel began carrying out strikes on Syrian troops rolling into Sweida on Tuesday after local government forces were accused of killing scores of people in the Druze city of Sweida, and on Wednesday the IDF struck key buildings in Damascus.
“The feeling is that every day there is something new. What the fuck?” said a second senior US official after an Israeli tank shell hit a church in Gaza, killing three people, in what the IDF says was a mistake.
'While Trump did not publicly address the strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church, he held an angry phone call with Netanyahu and demanded that he release a statement expressing regret over the incident, which the premier did a short while later.'
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also told reporters that Trump’s reaction to the incident “was not a positive reaction.”
US President Donald Trump greets supporters during a dinner for Republican senators in the State Dining Room of the White House, July 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
There is growing skepticism in the US administration about Netanyahu and his policies, said a third official, adding that' “Netanyahu is sometimes like a child who just won’t behave.”'
It was not clear whether the officials’ frustrations reflected the feelings of Trump himself. However, it wouldn’t be the first time the president has been irked by Israel’s behavior.
Blue Room of the White House in Washington, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The White House is alarmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decisions in Syria, multiple officials in US President Donald Trump’s administration were quoted Sunday as saying, branding the premier a “madman” and “a child who just won’t behave.”
“Bibi acted like a madman. He bombs everything all the time,” a White House official was cited as saying by the Axios news outlet, using the premier’s nickname. “This could undermine what Trump is trying to do.”
Israel began carrying out strikes on Syrian troops rolling into Sweida on Tuesday after local government forces were accused of killing scores of people in the Druze city of Sweida, and on Wednesday the IDF struck key buildings in Damascus.
“The feeling is that every day there is something new. What the fuck?” said a second senior US official after an Israeli tank shell hit a church in Gaza, killing three people, in what the IDF says was a mistake.
While Trump did not publicly address the strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church, he held an angry phone call with Netanyahu and demanded that he release a statement expressing regret over the incident, which the premier did a short while later.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also told reporters that Trump’s reaction to the incident “was not a positive reaction.”
US President Donald Trump greets supporters during a dinner for Republican senators in the State Dining Room of the White House, July 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
There is growing skepticism in the US administration about Netanyahu and his policies, said a third official, adding that “Netanyahu is sometimes like a child who just won’t behave.”
In an unprecedented, public, foul-mouthed tirade, Trump voiced his frustration against Israel last month when it planned a massive airstrike in response to the launch of a single missile by Iran after a ceasefire ending the 12-day war took effect.
According to Axios, 'US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack asked Israel on Tuesday to halt its attacks on Syria to make room for diplomacy, 'and Israel agreed. However, on Wednesday, Israel carried out extensive attacks in Syria, including on its military headquarters and close to the presidential palace.
'Israel said it was acting in support of the Druze, who form a substantial community in Israel and are seen as a loyal minority, with many serving in the Israeli military.'
Saudi Arabia and Turkey complained to the White House, as did Barrack and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
“The bombing in Syria caught the president and the White House by surprise,” a US official was quoted as saying. “The president doesn’t like turning on the television and seeing bombs dropped in a country he is seeking peace in and made a monumental announcement to help rebuild.”
'“Bibi’s political agenda is driving his senses. It will turn out to be a big mistake for him long-term,” one official said.'
A senior Israeli official told Axios that Trump urged Netanyahu to hold onto Syrian territory early in his term, and hasn’t complained about Israeli military operations there.
“The US wants to keep the new Syrian government stable and doesn’t understand why we attack in Syria because of attacks on the Druze community there,” the official said. “We tried to explain to them that this is our commitment to the Druze community in Israel.”
As Druze fighters clashed with Sunni Bedouin tribes, who were later joined by government forces last week, reports emerged from Sweida of regime forces killing women and boys, looting homes, and shaving Druze clerics’ mustaches. Videos also showed Druze fighters beating captured government forces and posing by their bodies.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said over 1,000 people have been killed since the violence erupted a week ago, including 336 Druze fighters and 298 civilians from the minority group, as well as 342 government security personnel and 21 Sunni Bedouin.
A ceasefire announced on Saturday appeared to be holding after earlier agreements failed to end the fighting between longtime rivals the Druze and the Bedouin.
AFP correspondents on the outskirts of Sweida city reported hearing no clashes on Sunday morning, with government forces deployed in some locations in the province to enforce the truce and at least one humanitarian convoy headed for the Druze-majority city.