Dr. Phil under fire for Netanyahu interview, calling 'Israelis' main victims of war

• Dr. Phil sparks controversy by suggesting Israelis are the “real victims” of the Gaza conflict during interview with Netanyahu.

Dr. Phil has once again sparked controversy after his recent interview with 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he implied that the 'Israelis' are the “real victims” of the Gaza conflict and framed the ongoing war as exacting its highest cost on them.

Dr phill support criminal
Jews soldiers publish lots of videos when they target civilians and childrens

— BirLOof_ (@Lkqueeeena) January 2, 2026

Did I just hear we didn’t carpet bomb the place?…..then what in the earth quake destroyed 90% of the housed and civilian infrastructure?…and Ooh, ‘Dr’ Phill, how much did you cost them to purchase you? Sold Cheap soul. For years I have watched your show thinking you are human!!

— Elyasco (@elyasco77) January 2, 2026

The discussion, a follow-up to their dramatic May 2024 encounter, delved into 'Israel’s' multi-front battles, recent clashes with Iran, and Netanyahu’s vision for a reshaped Middle East, drawing sharp reactions from viewers and critics alike.

Netanyahu painted a picture of a nation perpetually fighting for its existence, describing the ongoing conflict not merely as a war, but as a "seven-front war" orchestrated by Iran and its proxies. "They chant 'Death to Israel, Death to America.' Well, they’re not going to achieve either one, but I think that axis is going down the tube," he asserted, exuding confidence in 'Israel's' strategic position.

He praised the "courage, such motivation" of the younger generation of 'Israeli' soldiers, challenging pre-conceived notions of a "TikTok generation" unwilling to fight.

The "Seven-Front War" and the "Eighth Front": The Battle for Truth

Beyond the physical battlefields, Dr. Phil suggested that Israel is also facing an “eighth front” of fake propaganda. He commented that college students who support Palestine and protest for Gaza lack critical thinking. He then asked Netanyahu what message he would like to send to them through the interview. Netanyahu responded: “Wake up—you’re supporting people who say ‘Death to America.’”

Operation "Rising Lion": Confronting Iran Directly

A significant portion of the interview was dedicated to the mid-2025 "12-day war" with Iran, a conflict Netanyahu dubbed Operation Rising Lion. He claimed the successful neutralization of Iran's nuclear enrichment sites, a critical outcome he attributed to the "bold and decisive action" of a joint effort between 'Israeli' pilots and American B-2 stealth bombers under President Donald Trump.

"We delivered on the promise to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons," Netanyahu declared, framing the operation as having "removed an existential threat" and permanently altered the regional power dynamic. 

"We’re fighting Hamas, we’re not fighting Palestinian civilians," Netanyahu claims

Addressing the persistent humanitarian concerns in Gaza, Netanyahu claimed, "We’re fighting Hamas, we’re not fighting Palestinian civilians... Hamas has done everything in their power to keep them in harm's way." He stated that Hamas is actively preventing civilians from leaving combat zones, even resorting to shooting them. He continued to claim that despite that'Israel' had managed to "reduce the civilian casualties" over time.

The "Technocratic Interim Government" and a 20-Point Peace Plan

Netanyahu outlined his vision for a post-conflict Gaza based on a controversial "20-point peace plan," unveiled at the White House in late 2025. This plan calls for a "Technocratic Interim Government" and a three-step process: Disarm, Demilitarize, and Deradicalize. "Hamas members can either disarm and remain or leave Gaza through safe passage. But Gaza will be a demilitarized zone," he stated unequivocally.

The plan also mandates the creation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), comprising soldiers from Arab and Muslim countries, which would eventually assume day-to-day security responsibilities, replacing the IOF. 

Netanyahu drew parallels to post-World War II Germany and Japan, arguing that deradicalization and demilitarization are essential for a lasting peace.

"Gaza has to be demilitarized, and I think also deradicalized which is what happened in Germany and in Japan after you (the Americans) won World War II", he continued to say, "You (the Americans) taught them that there’s a possibility of a different life." referring to the Germans and Japanese. 

The Fall of the Assad Regime and the Reordering of the Middle East

Netanyahu linked the Gaza conflict to a broader dismantling of the "Iranian Axis," including the significant development of the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. "We eliminated the axis components one by one. First Hamas, then the northern front with the pager operation, and as a result, Assad fell. We have effectively taken apart the plan to eliminate Israel," he explained, indicating a profound reordering of regional power dynamics.

A Strong Alliance with Donald Trump

Throughout the interview, Netanyahu spoke warmly of his partnership with President Donald Trump, highlighting the Abraham Accords and their shared commitment to preventing a nuclear Iran. He emphasized that "the stronger we are, the closer we get to peace. The weaker we are, we get closer to war," a principle he felt was deeply understood by the U.S. President. This contrasts sharply with the widely reported tensions with the Biden administration during the 2024 period.

The "Ongoing" Psychological Toll: Beyond PTSD

A highlight moment of the interview was when Dr. Phil mentioned the psychological impact of the prolonged conflict on 'Israeli' citizens. Netanyahu eschewed the term "PTSD," stating, "P stands for Post. This isn't 'Post'—it is every day, it is ongoing."

The interview concluded with Netanyahu reaffirming his unwavering commitment to 'Israel's' security.