President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a September 2025 phone call that “all the Jews are sick of you,” according to a new book by reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan.
The account appears in Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, which was published Tuesday, 23.
The reported exchange happened as Trump administration officials Jared Kushner and White House envoy Steve Witkoff pushed for a deal aimed at ending the Gaza war, securing the release of remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, and gaining support from Arab countries for Gaza’s redevelopment.
Trump reportedly made the comment while expressing frustration with Netanyahu’s approach to the negotiations, referring to Kushner and Witkoff, who were involved in the talks.
Trump Applies Pressure on Netanyahu
According to the book, Trump told Netanyahu, “You can’t back out of this. I’m the best friend Israel ever had. Everybody hates you, and I’ve stood by you.”
The report states that Netanyahu eventually accepted the framework, with the two leaders announcing a deal days later that resulted in the release of remaining living hostages.
Also Read: Netanyahu Reacts to Trump’s Iran MOU After Being Left in the Dark
The account is based on sources familiar with the discussions and describes Trump’s use of direct language in private conversations with foreign leaders.
During his administration, Trump has frequently relied on personal diplomacy and direct negotiations to pursue foreign policy goals.
Kushner and Witkoff’s Role in Gaza Negotiations
The book details the role played by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in efforts to broker an agreement. The two reportedly met with Ron Dermer, a top Netanyahu adviser, in Miami on September 8, 2025, to discuss a peace proposal.
The following day, Israel launched a strike in Doha, Qatar, targeting Hamas leaders. The development reportedly angered Kushner and Witkoff, who believed they had been misled about Israel’s intentions.
According to the book, the two told White House aides, “Dermer lied to us.” Kushner reportedly reacted by saying, “I’m f**king out. The Israelis are crazy.”
The report says Kushner later used the incident as leverage while advancing a 20-point peace plan. Qatar’s involvement in hosting Hamas political leaders made the strike a major complication for U.S. mediation efforts, though negotiations continued.
Also Read: Trump Brags Netanyahu Will ‘Do Whatever I Want’ Then Says He’ll Run for Israeli Prime Minister
Trump-Netanyahu Relationship
The book portrays Trump as pushing Netanyahu to accept an agreement despite political challenges in Israel. It says Trump viewed the deal as a major achievement that would secure the release of hostages and shape postwar arrangements for Gaza.
During Trump’s first term, the two leaders worked together on issues including the Abraham Accords, the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and recognition of Israel’s control over the Golan Heights.
Haberman and Swan say their reporting is based on multiple sources inside the Trump administration and the negotiations.
Neither Trump nor Netanyahu’s office immediately issued public comments on the specific remarks.
