Trump Talks About Possible Meeting with Netanyahu at the White House Next Week

SadaNews - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested to meet him at the White House, and indicated that this could happen as early as next week after his return from the NATO summit.

In an interview with the American Axios site, Trump stated, "We get along very well. (Netanyahu) knows who the leader is," referring to himself.

He addressed Iran, mentioning that he has been following the funeral ceremonies of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and considered that the Iranians are "begging for an agreement." However, he said that both sides decided to suspend discussions for a week until the funeral ceremonies concluded, adding that during this period, "neither side will shoot at the other."

He added, "Everyone is there. One shot (and we could take them all out), but we won’t do that, because then we wouldn’t have anyone left to negotiate with." He mentioned being surprised to see some Iranians crying at the funeral, as he believed people hated Khamenei, adding that "perhaps the tears are fake."

According to Axios, an Israeli official stated that next week could be too early for the meeting due to Trump's trip to Turkey, where the NATO summit will be held on July 7 and 8, adding, "The meeting might take place the week after."

This will be the first meeting between Trump and Netanyahu since their meeting in the White House situation room in February when the Israeli Prime Minister presented his plan for a joint war against Iran.

Netanyahu’s office reported that the Prime Minister contacted Trump on Friday to congratulate him on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, stating, "During the call, the Prime Minister said that the United States is a guarantor of global freedom and that Israel greatly values the close relations between the two countries. He agreed with President Trump to meet soon in the United States."

According to the American report, people close to Trump have become more skeptical and frustrated with Netanyahu in the months following their February meeting.

The report quoted an American official saying, "Many of Trump’s closest advisors believe that 'Bibi' (Netanyahu) was wrong about everything."

The report noted that Trump reprimanded Netanyahu during a phone call last month over the Israeli escalation in Lebanon, describing him as "crazy" and accusing him of ingratitude. These tensions deepened the division within the Republican Party regarding Israel and the war, with some accusing Trump of becoming subservient to Netanyahu.

It clarified that Trump and Netanyahu's goals in national security and foreign policy, alongside their internal political interests, have diverged over the past two months amid the war and other regional issues. Despite Netanyahu’s reservations, Trump recently signed a memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire with Iran and to launch a new round of negotiations including the nuclear program in Tehran.

Trump also pressured Netanyahu to rein in Israeli military operations in Lebanon, which have become an obstacle to negotiations with Iran, and to sign a framework agreement for a gradual withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The report indicates that a meeting with Trump at the White House would be very significant for Netanyahu as he begins his campaign for the Israeli elections scheduled for October 2026, at a time when polls show his decline.