Trump says Netanyahu knows ‘who the boss is’ ahead of possible White House meet: Report
“We get along very well. [Netanyahu] “He knows who’s boss,” Trump said in a brief phone conversation with Axios, referring to himself.
According to the report, the proposed meeting would be the first between the two leaders since the meeting in the White House Situation Room in February, where Netanyahu presented his joint war plan against Iran.
Also read: Trump headlines US 250th birthday celebrations in divided America
An Israeli official told Axios that next week might be too early for the visit due to Trump’s visit to Türkiye for the NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8, adding, “It could also happen next week.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that Netanyahu called Trump on Friday and congratulated him on the 250th Independence Day of the United States.
Netanyahu’s office said, “During their meeting, the Prime Minister said that the United States is the guarantor of global freedom and that Israel greatly values the close relationship between the two countries. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump agreed to meet in the United States soon.” he said.
The report stated that people in Trump’s inner circle became increasingly skeptical of Netanyahu in the months following their meeting in February.
“Many of Trump’s closest advisers think Bibi is wrong on everything,” a U.S. official told Axios.
According to the report, Trump also criticized Netanyahu in a phone call last month regarding Israel’s tensions in Lebanon, describing the Israeli Prime Minister as “crazy” and accusing him of ungratefulness.
Axios reported that differences between the two leaders have widened in recent months over disagreements over regional security, Iran and domestic political priorities.
Despite Netanyahu’s reservations, Trump signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran last month extending the ceasefire and opening new nuclear talks. He also called on Netanyahu to reduce Israel’s military operations in Lebanon and support a framework agreement that envisions a first-stage withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
According to Axios, a meeting to be held at the White House will be of political importance for Netanyahu. As Netanyahu prepares for the October elections in Israel, opinion polls leave him behind his rivals.
Also read: Trump offers to help Putin find deal with Ukraine and also talks to Zelenskiy
Trump also told Axios that he was covering the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in a joint US-Israeli operation on the first day of the war.
According to the report, Trump claimed the Iranians were “begging for a deal” but said both sides agreed to pause negotiations for a week until events surrounding Khamenei’s funeral were resolved. He also said that neither side would take military action during this period.
“It’s all there. One shot [and we can take them all out]But we won’t do that because then we won’t have anyone to negotiate with,” Trump said, according to Axios.
He said he was surprised to see mourners mourning at Khamenei’s funeral and believed people disliked the former Iranian leader. “Maybe they’re fake tears,” Trump said, according to Axios.
