TEL AVIV — The small Israeli border town of Metula is no stranger to Hezbollah shelling and rocket attacks from Lebanon, especially since the group joined Iran in the fight against Israel and the United States on March 2. David Azoulay, the head of the local council for over a decade, has become a symbol of Metula’s resilience and determination.

Yet on Monday, Azoulay removed the photos of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog from his office wall and replaced them with one of US President Donald Trump. His symbolic act reflects the widely held view that Netanyahu — who for decades cultivated the image of “Mr. Security” — can no longer make decisions about his country’s security without permission from the White House.

Israel frustrated by Trump’s dictates

Trump unilaterally declared a ceasefire with Iran on April 8 and agreed to Iran's demand to extend it to Israel’s war with Hezbollah as well, overruling Israel's objections. He has since extended the Lebanon ceasefire and maintained pressure on Israel to adhere to its terms, but numerous violations by both Israel and Hezbollah are rendering it largely irrelevant.