Israel’s Ben-Gvir Urges Netanyahu to Defy Trump on Lebanon

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demands Israel “slam the table” against U.S. pressure and resume a full-scale war against Hezbollah.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly pressured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reject U.S. diplomatic restraints and resume full-scale military operations in Lebanon. Amid escalating tensions, the firebrand minister insisted that Netanyahu must defy Washington’s regional framework, explicitly urging him to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump and commit to a major cross-border offensive.

The internal rift within the Israeli security cabinet burst into the open following a series of explosive drone strikes launched by Hezbollah. Taking to social media, Ben-Gvir warned that treating these targeted drone incursions as a routine reality is an unacceptable security failure for the state.

A Call to Defy Washington

Ben-Gvir’s remarks directly challenge the diplomatic momentum generated by the Trump administration’s recent efforts to secure overarching peace and normalization pacts in the region. The National Security Minister argued that Israel must prioritize immediate military deterrence over American diplomatic timelines.

“The time has come for Prime Minister Netanyahu to slam the table against Trump and inform him that we are returning to war in Lebanon,” Ben-Gvir declared in his statement.

The far-right minister outlined a severe tactical approach to the ongoing conflict, advocating for massive infrastructure destruction and territorial advancement.

“We must cut off the electricity in Lebanon, seize control of Zahrani, and return to a large-scale war,” Ben-Gvir asserted, referencing the critical coastal area of Zahrani, which houses major energy infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

Rising Internal Pressures on Netanyahu

The friction highlights a growing ideological divide within the Israeli leadership. While Prime Minister Netanyahu navigates complex diplomatic relations with the White House and regional partners, ultranationalist factions within his coalition are demanding an uncompromising military solution to the northern border threat.

Hezbollah’s deployment of explosive-laden unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has consistently tested Israel’s air defense networks and strained local communities. For Ben-Gvir and his supporters, defensive measures are no longer sufficient. They view any pause in active combat as a tactical concession that allows hostile forces to regroup.

By publicly demanding that Netanyahu “slam the table” against a U.S. president who has traditionally maintained a deeply pro-Israel stance, Ben-Gvir is signalling that Israel’s far-right elements are willing to risk diplomatic friction with Washington to achieve their immediate security and territorial goals in Lebanon.