Fact Check: Did Itamar Ben-Gvir say it's time to tell Trump 'no'?
WASHINGTON, DC: Following President Donald Trump’s explosive phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu, a report began circulating on social media claiming that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had declared it was “time to say no to Trump,” fueling speculation about a growing rift between the United States and Israel.
Let us analyse and fact-check its authenticity.
Claim: Itamar Ben-Gvir said it's time to say 'no' to Donald Trump
According to the online rumor, National Security Minister of Israel, Ben Gvir, said: "It is time to say NO to President Trump."
The remark surfaced after Trump reportedly blasted the Israeli Prime Minister in a phone call over the escalation of the conflict in Lebanon.
The claim has triggered speculations about divisions between the US and their strongest ally in the Middle East. Many dismissed the minister’s remark as false, and few others appeared to believe it, while some remained skeptical and questioned its authenticity.
Fact Check: Itamar Ben-Gvir made this comment
The remark is authentic as Ben-Gvir indeed says it. “Mr Prime Minister, you said that a strong prime minister tells the president of the United States ‘yes’ when possible, and ‘no’ when necessary,” Ben Gvir writes on X. “This is the time to tell our friend, President Trump, ‘no.’”
“Now is the time to do what is required and necessary to strike Hezbollah, to unleash the hands of our fighters and to restore security to the north,” the minister added.
Donald Trump reportedly blasts Benjamin Netanyahu in a call
The remark was made after Trump described his call with Netanyahu as “productive,” but reports suggest the conversation was marked by shouting, profanity, and the president allegedly branding Netanyahu “f*****g crazy” over Israel's new military attack.
Earlier on Monday, Netanyahu ordered the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to strike Hezbollah targets in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, as part of the conflict that has been going on since October 2023, despite a ceasefire that began in November 2024.
“I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu today, asking him not to go into a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon,” the president wrote on his Truth Social platform. “He turned his Troops around. Thank you Bibi!”
He added, “I also had a conversation with Representatives of the Leaders of Hezbollah, and they agreed to stop shooting at Israel, and its soldiers. Likewise, Israel agreed to stop shooting at them. Let’s see how long that lasts — Hopefully it will be for ETERNITY!”
