Netanyahu knows who is boss: Trump says Israeli PM requested White House meet
Donald Trump says Benjamin Netanyahu has sought a White House meeting that could happen as early as next week, even as reports point to growing tensions between the two leaders over the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested a meeting at the White House that could take place as early as next week, while insisting the two leaders "get along very good" and declaring that Netanyahu "knows who the boss is".
Speaking to Axios in a brief phone interview on Saturday, Trump said, "We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is," referring to himself.
If the visit goes ahead, it would mark the first meeting between the two leaders since their February meeting in the White House Situation Room, where Netanyahu reportedly presented a plan for a joint military campaign against Iran.
According to Axios, Trump said Netanyahu had asked for a meeting at the White House and that it could happen as early as next week after he returns from the NATO summit.
However, an Israeli official was quoted as saying next week may be too soon because of Trump's travel schedule, including a visit to Turkey for the July 7-8 NATO summit.
"It might take place the week after," the official said.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Netanyahu spoke to Trump on Friday to congratulate him on the 250th Independence Day of the United States.
"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," the statement said.
REPORT SAYS RELATIONS HAVE FACED STRAINS
The proposed meeting comes amid reports of growing differences between Trump and Netanyahu over the war and wider regional policy.
According to Axios, people close to Trump have become increasingly sceptical of Netanyahu in the months following their February meeting.
"Many of Trump's closest advisers think that Bibi was wrong about everything," a US official told the publication.
The report also said Trump criticised Netanyahu during a phone call last month over Israel's military escalation in Lebanon, reportedly calling the Israeli leader "crazy" and accusing him of ingratitude.
Despite Netanyahu's reported reservations, Trump last month signed a memorandum extending the ceasefire with Iran while launching fresh nuclear talks. Axios also reported that Trump urged Netanyahu to limit Israeli military operations in Lebanon and move towards an agreement involving an initial withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
TRUMP ON IRAN TALKS
Trump also told Axios he was closely following the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who he claimed was assassinated on the first day of the war in a joint US-Israeli operation.
He claimed Iran was eager to return to negotiations but that both sides had agreed to pause talks until the funeral concluded.
"They are begging to make a deal," Trump said.
"They are all there. One shot [and we can take them all out], but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with," he added.
Trump also said he was surprised to see mourners at Khamenei's funeral.
"I thought people hated Khamenei. Maybe it's fake tears," he said.
US President Donald Trump has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested a meeting at the White House that could take place as early as next week, while insisting the two leaders "get along very good" and declaring that Netanyahu "knows who the boss is".
Speaking to Axios in a brief phone interview on Saturday, Trump said, "We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is," referring to himself.
If the visit goes ahead, it would mark the first meeting between the two leaders since their February meeting in the White House Situation Room, where Netanyahu reportedly presented a plan for a joint military campaign against Iran.
According to Axios, Trump said Netanyahu had asked for a meeting at the White House and that it could happen as early as next week after he returns from the NATO summit.
However, an Israeli official was quoted as saying next week may be too soon because of Trump's travel schedule, including a visit to Turkey for the July 7-8 NATO summit.
"It might take place the week after," the official said.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Netanyahu spoke to Trump on Friday to congratulate him on the 250th Independence Day of the United States.
"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," the statement said.
REPORT SAYS RELATIONS HAVE FACED STRAINS
The proposed meeting comes amid reports of growing differences between Trump and Netanyahu over the war and wider regional policy.
According to Axios, people close to Trump have become increasingly sceptical of Netanyahu in the months following their February meeting.
"Many of Trump's closest advisers think that Bibi was wrong about everything," a US official told the publication.
The report also said Trump criticised Netanyahu during a phone call last month over Israel's military escalation in Lebanon, reportedly calling the Israeli leader "crazy" and accusing him of ingratitude.
Despite Netanyahu's reported reservations, Trump last month signed a memorandum extending the ceasefire with Iran while launching fresh nuclear talks. Axios also reported that Trump urged Netanyahu to limit Israeli military operations in Lebanon and move towards an agreement involving an initial withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
TRUMP ON IRAN TALKS
Trump also told Axios he was closely following the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who he claimed was assassinated on the first day of the war in a joint US-Israeli operation.
He claimed Iran was eager to return to negotiations but that both sides had agreed to pause talks until the funeral concluded.
"They are begging to make a deal," Trump said.
"They are all there. One shot [and we can take them all out], but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with," he added.
Trump also said he was surprised to see mourners at Khamenei's funeral.
"I thought people hated Khamenei. Maybe it's fake tears," he said.
