Trump’s Row with Zelenskyy Recalls Obama and Biden’s Humiliations of Netanyahu

JERUSALEM, Israel: The recent public spat between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reignited a debate over double standards in international diplomacy. Critics argue that the way Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was treated by Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama paints a stark contrast to the global sympathy extended to Zelenskyy.

Historically, Netanyahu faced what some have described as public humiliation during his dealings with Obama and Biden. According to Dan Diker, President of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, "The real question is why the international media, European powers, and social networks were noticeably unsympathetic to Israel and its PM Netanyahu during the Obama and Biden administrations." He added that Netanyahu endured "dressing down and even humiliation" during White House visits, in sharp contrast to the international outrage sparked by Trump’s heated exchange with Zelenskyy.

Diker recalled specific incidents, such as Obama allegedly "dumping" Netanyahu’s delegation in 2010 or Biden’s strong-handed political maneuvers, which included applying maximum pressure on Israel to align with U.S. demands. These instances, he argued, highlight a clear disparity in how leaders of war-torn nations are treated on the global stage.

While Ukraine and Israel both face existential threats—Ukraine battling Russia’s invasion and Israel resisting Iranian-backed militant groups—the response to their leaders’ public clashes with the U.S. has been vastly different. Zelenskyy’s confrontation with Trump sparked widespread solidarity, but Netanyahu was met with criticism and, at times, outright disdain.

In one particularly eyebrow-raising moment, Biden was caught on a hot mic after the 2024 State of the Union speech, saying he and Netanyahu needed to have a "come to Jesus moment." That was mild compared to some of Biden’s other reported comments, including calling Netanyahu a "f---ing liar" and a "bad f---ing guy." These remarks, reportedly made during heated discussions over Israeli military actions in Rafah and against Hezbollah, paint a picture of a strained relationship.

The Obama administration also had its moments of tension with Netanyahu. In 2010, Obama refused to pose for photos with the Israeli leader and reportedly left him out of a customary White House dinner. By the end of Obama’s presidency, the relationship had deteriorated further, culminating in the U.S. allowing a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements to pass—a move Netanyahu termed a "shameful ambush."

Observers point out that Netanyahu’s assertive speeches to the U.S. Congress, particularly his 2015 address opposing Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran, didn’t win him many friends in the Democratic establishment. Yet, similar confrontations by Zelenskyy have been met with far less criticism, a point not lost on Eugene Kontorovich of the Heritage Foundation. "Democrats seethed for years that Netanyahu dared have a different policy than Obama," he noted.

It’s hard not to notice the striking parallels between these two leaders and their uphill battles against anti-democratic regimes. But one crucial difference remains: the narrative surrounding them. Zelenskyy has been largely lionized as a wartime hero, while Netanyahu has often been portrayed as a political thorn in the side of U.S. leaders. It’s a double standard that continues to fuel debate in both diplomatic and media circles.