Elements within Israel's political right have voiced strong disapproval of President Trump's administration for excluding the Jewish state from crucial U.S.-Iran peace talks, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Shima Shine, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and former Mossad official, stated that excluding Israel from negotiations directly impacting its security was a significant misstep. "What did America think about that? How did they think that they can — at the same time — talk with Iran about Lebanon and force Israel to stop, and then bring the Israelis and the Lebanese to negotiate two sides when they are not in any way part of the negotiations with Iran," Shine questioned, describing the situation as a "huge mess."
Following the release of a memorandum of understanding, a prominent op-ed in the Israel Hayom newspaper, owned by a major pro-Israel donor to Trump, accused the president of betraying the Jewish state. Journalist Danny Zaken wrote that Trump "failed" and urged him to disregard advice from Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Zaken warned that without a course correction, Trump would be remembered as the president who "brought about the humiliation of great America and gravely damaged its strategic power and its leading status in the world."
Similar sentiments were expressed by Israeli lawmakers and media figures. Channel 14 News personality Yinon Magal criticized Trump as a "loser" and Vance as "scum" on X, while also attacking negotiator Jared Kushner for allegedly abandoning "their brothers in Israel." Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, also characterized the discussions surrounding Lebanon as a "train wreck."
A poll by Israel's Channel 12 TV indicated that 71% of respondents no longer trust the Trump administration to protect Israel's interests under the terms of the agreement.
The inclusion of Lebanon as the primary issue in the 14-point agreement gives Iran leverage to delay discussions on more critical matters, such as its nuclear program, according to Kelly Campa, head of the Middle East team at the Institute for the Study of War think tank. Campa suggested that effective resolution would require comprehensive talks involving the U.S., Iran, Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon. She expressed doubt that Hezbollah would adhere to a long-term deal as long as it perceives an Israeli occupation continuing.