Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump spoke on Friday and agreed to meet “soon” in the United States, according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office. The conversation marks a significant step in US-Israel relations after the two countries fought alongside each other in a military campaign against Iran and amid reports of tensions between the leaders over efforts to end the war.
Details of the Phone Call
The statement from Netanyahu’s office said that during the call, the prime minister emphasized that “the US is a guarantor of global freedom, and Israel greatly appreciates the close ties between nations.” Netanyahu also congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence. The two leaders “agreed to meet soon in the US,” the statement added.
Context of the Meeting
Washington is Israel’s closest ally, but Trump has been publicly critical of Netanyahu in recent weeks after Israel’s war with Hezbollah in Lebanon threatened peace talks with Iran. The upcoming meeting is seen as an opportunity to mend fences and coordinate on regional security issues.
