US President Donald Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could visit the White House as early as next week, according to Axios. Trump also said Netanyahu “knows who the boss is” in their relationship.
The possible meeting comes amid reports of differences between the two leaders over efforts to end the war involving Israel and Iran.
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.
An Israeli official told Axios that a meeting next week may not be possible because Trump is expected to travel to Türkiye for a NATO summit on 7-8 July. The official said the visit could instead take place the following week.
Netanyahu’s office said the two leaders spoke by phone on Friday and agreed to meet in the United States soon.
Although the United States remains Israel’s closest ally, Trump has publicly criticised Netanyahu in recent weeks after Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon complicated diplomatic efforts involving Iran.
Trump and Netanyahu last met in Washington on 11 February.
Last month, Netanyahu again called for Israel to strengthen its military independence and reduce its reliance on US support. According to a statement from his office, he told reserve officers during a training course in the occupied West Bank that while he appreciated American support, Israel needed to develop its own independent defence capabilities.
Netanyahu made the remarks on 18 June, a day after the United States and Iran reached an initial agreement aimed at ending the regional conflict, a move he has strongly opposed.
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