Are we to believe that the American president launched a foul-mouthed tirade at Israel’s prime minister over Bibi’s insistence on continuing the IDF’s incursion into Lebanon and its attacks on Hezbollah?

Only last month, Trump called Netanyahu “a very good man” and “a great guy”, and the Israeli leader is well practised in massaging the ego of a man who thrives on sycophancy and never seems to see through the efforts of others to flatter him.

It seems highly unlikely that Trump would have used the four-letter expletives allegedly directed at Netanyahu, although Jerusalem should be cautious, given Trump’s capricious, volatile and unpredictable behaviour. His shameful treatment before the world’s media of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky was a perfect example when the latter’s country was Russia’s victim, and not the perpetrator of war, as Trump maintained quite ludicrously and viciously.

Israel’s case is somewhat different though. The Jewish state is a longstanding strategic ally, and Trump is venerated there because of his response to Hamas and to attacks by Iran and its proxies.

The two countries have carried out joint operations against the latter. The American leader is also well loved in Israel for honouring his pledge to relocate the country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a significant gesture followed by a handful of other nations. A road was even named after Trump.

Are we also to believe media reports that Trump told Netanyahu he would be in prison if it were not for him, allegedly adding: “I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.” Trump is perfectly capable of spewing such invective, but is it really likely that he would turn on the man who not so long ago nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize?

For his part, Netanyahu has history for falling out with or insulting American presidents, but he and Trump have always seemed attuned. Israel does need America, but is not wholly reliant on it.

Bibi, though, is his own man and has never allowed other world leaders to dictate Israel’s policy. He is single-minded and stubborn.

If this is even at worst a lovers’ tiff, however, it is unlikely to persist and the special relationship will be as strong as ever during the present administration. There is too much to lose on both sides for it to be otherwise.

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