President Donald Trump said Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked for a White House meeting, a visit that could come later this month as the two leaders navigate growing tensions over Israel, Iran and the future of the region.
In a brief phone interview with Axios, Trump described his relationship with Netanyahu in familiar terms.
“We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is,” Trump said, referring to himself.
The meeting would be the first between the two leaders since February, when Netanyahu visited the Situation Room and presented his plan for a joint war against Iran.
An Israeli official said next week may be too soon because Trump is scheduled to travel to Turkey for the NATO summit on July 7-8.
“It might take place the week after,” the official said.
Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister called Trump on Friday to congratulate him on America’s 250th Independence Day. The office said the two leaders used the call to reaffirm the U.S.-Israel relationship and discuss a future meeting.
“During their conversation, the Prime Minister said that the United States is a guarantor of global freedom, and that Israel greatly values the close relationship between the two nations. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump agreed to meet soon in the United States.”
But behind the public statements, Trump’s circle has grown increasingly doubtful of Netanyahu’s judgment. One U.S. official said the skepticism has become widespread among the president’s advisers.
“Many of Trump’s closest advisers think that Bibi was wrong about everything,” the official said.
The strain became more visible last month, when Trump sharply criticized Netanyahu during a phone call over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon. Trump reportedly called the prime minister “crazy” and accused him of ingratitude.
The two leaders have also split over strategy. Trump last month signed a memorandum of understanding extending the ceasefire with Iran and reopening nuclear talks, despite Netanyahu’s reservations. Trump has also pressed Israel to scale back IDF operations in Lebanon and accept a framework that would require an initial withdrawal from the south.
For Netanyahu, a White House visit would carry major political value as he begins his campaign for Israel’s October elections. Current polling shows him trailing.
