President Donald Trump’s popularity in Israel has suffered a dramatic decline following his administration’s agreement with Iran and a series of unusually harsh public and private criticisms of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a new survey published by the Kantar Institute and the Israeli daily Hayom.
The poll, cited by prominent Israeli commentator Amit Segal, found that Trump’s standing among Israelis has undergone a remarkable reversal in just three weeks.
In late May, Trump enjoyed a 58% approval rating against 35% disapproval, making him one of the most popular political figures in Israel.
Today, his net favorability has fallen from plus-16 points to minus-23 points, placing him behind Netanyahu, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot.
The sharpest shift occurred among voters viewed as crucial to Israel’s next election.
Three weeks ago, voters from the 2022 opposition bloc backed Trump by a 74%-20% margin. The new survey found that 48% now hold a negative view of him, compared with 46% who remain favorable.
The decline appears tied to two developments: widespread Israeli criticism of Trump’s Iran agreement and growing anger over his attacks on Netanyahu.
Trump recently confirmed reports that he called Netanyahu “f***ing crazy” during a tense phone call over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon.
He said he was “perturbed” by Netanyahu’s “constant fighting with Lebanon,” although he also said he liked the Israeli leader and worked well with him.
According to multiple reports, Trump also told Netanyahu, “You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me,” and accused him of damaging Israel’s international standing.
Trump later warned that Israel could find itself “on its own” if it resumed military action against Iran and insisted that Netanyahu would have “no choice” but to accept a U.S.-brokered agreement with Tehran.
Netanyahu has responded cautiously but publicly defended Israel’s right to act independently against threats from Iran and Hezbollah.
While agreeing in recent days to “hold fire” at Trump’s request, he has emphasized that Israel reserves the right to defend itself and has signaled continuing opposition to key aspects of the U.S.-Iran understanding.
Many Israeli critics have labeled the memorandum of understanding with Iran a “surrender” because it reportedly provides sanctions relief and a path toward normalization while falling short of the maximal objectives championed by Israel during the recent conflict.
Leaked portions suggest Iran will only agree to a long-term peace deal if Israel leaves Lebanon and no longer attacks Hezbollah.
Critics argue the deal leaves Iran’s regime intact, eases pressure before a broader settlement is reached, and restricts Israel’s freedom of action while requiring regional de-escalation.
After causing havoc throughout the Middle East over several decades, with billions of dollars of damage and many lives lost, Israelis are said to be bewildered that the agreement is offering $300 billion worth of reconstruction aid to Iran.
Questions about transparency have also fueled criticism after reports that Israeli officials were initially denied access to the agreement’s text.
The polling results raise the possibility that Netanyahu could gain politically not by highlighting his relationship with Trump, but by portraying himself as the only Israeli leader willing to challenge Washington when Israeli security interests are at stake.