Trump Claims Netanyahu Requested White House Meeting, Says PM Knows Who Is Boss

US President Donald Trump has made a significant announcement regarding international diplomacy, stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting at the White House. This potential meeting, which could take place as early as next week, comes at a critical juncture for both nations, while during a brief interview on Saturday, Trump emphasized the strength of the relationship between the two leaders but also made a pointed remark about the power dynamic. He asserted that Netanyahu knows who the boss is, while gesturing toward himself to underscore his point, while trump noted that despite various reports, his relationship with the Israeli leader remains very good.

Details of the Proposed Meeting and Timing

The proposed visit would mark the first formal meeting between the two leaders since their discussion in the White House Situation Room in February, while during that previous encounter, Netanyahu reportedly presented a plan for a joint military operation against Iran. Regarding the timing of the upcoming visit, Trump suggested it could happen next week following his return from the NATO summit. However, an Israeli official provided a slightly different perspective, suggesting that next week might be too soon due to Trump's busy travel schedule. This schedule includes a visit to Turkey for the NATO summit on July 7-8. The official indicated that the meeting is more likely to occur the week after next.

Celebration of the US 250th Independence Day

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has confirmed that Netanyahu spoke with Trump on Friday to extend his congratulations on the 250th Independence Day of the United States. In an official statement, Netanyahu described the United States as the guarantor of global freedom and emphasized that Israel places immense value on the close relationship between the two countries. Both leaders reportedly agreed to meet in the United States in the near future to discuss ongoing strategic concerns and bilateral cooperation.

Reports of Growing Tensions and Policy Differences

Despite the public displays of cooperation, reports suggest that the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu has faced significant strain. The proposed meeting is set against a backdrop of increasing disagreements over the ongoing war and broader regional policies. According to reports from Axios, individuals close to Trump have become increasingly skeptical of Netanyahu in the months following their February meeting. One US official reportedly stated that many of Trump's close advisors believe Netanyahu has been wrong on almost every issue. On top of that, during a phone conversation last month, Trump reportedly criticized Israel's military actions in Lebanon, allegedly calling the Israeli leader crazy and accusing him of being ungrateful.

Divergent Approaches to Iran and Regional Conflict

The friction between the two leaders is also evident in their approaches to Iran. Despite Netanyahu's objections, Trump recently signed a memorandum aimed at extending a ceasefire with Iran and initiating new nuclear negotiations. Reports indicate that Trump has urged Netanyahu to limit Israeli military operations in Lebanon and move toward an agreement that would involve an initial withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Trump also shared his observations regarding the funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Trump claimed that Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israel operation on the first day of the conflict. He asserted that Iran was eager to resume talks but both sides agreed to wait until the funeral proceedings were completed. Trump remarked that they're begging for a deal and noted that while he observed the mourners, he was surprised by the display of grief, suggesting the tears might have been fake, while he added a provocative comment, stating that they were all in one place and could have been eliminated with one shot, but he chose not to do so to ensure there would be someone left to negotiate with.