Trump: – Always had a good relationship with Netanyahu

During the meeting with Trump, Netanyahu said that Israel will soon send a team to a negotiation meeting in Rome where a possible ceasefire in Gaza will be discussed. Maybe this will be at the beginning of next week.

Trump came down hard on his Democratic rivals in Washington and warned of dire consequences for the Middle East if he himself is not re-elected.

“We have incompetent people running our country,” Trump told Netanyahu.

– If we win, everything will be very easy. Everything will be fine, and quickly. If we don’t win, we could end up with big wars in the Middle East, maybe a third world war, he said.

Warm welcome

Netanyahu traveled to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida after addressing Congress and meeting President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington.

Trump gave Netanyahu and his wife a warm welcome when they arrived at Mar-a-Lago, in stark contrast to the measured meetings Netanyahu has had with Biden and Harris.

– We have a very good relationship, Trump said, pointing out that as president he moved the US embassy to Jerusalem and withdrew the US from the nuclear agreement with Iran.

Pressured by Biden and Harris

Netanyahu has been pressed by both Harris and Biden about the war in Gaza. The Democrats’ presumptive presidential candidate has made it clear that she will not go quietly.

– I clearly conveyed my serious concern for the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Harris said after his meeting with the prime minister.

Facing Netanyahu, Trump called Harris’ statement disrespectful. He also stressed that Israeli hostages in Gaza must be released immediately.

Better relations with Trump

Netanyahu has had a clearly better relationship with Trump than with Biden, who, despite his lifelong support for Israel, has a strained relationship with the Israeli prime minister.

However, the mood turned chilly when Trump criticized Netanyahu for security failures during the October 7 attacks and terrorist attacks by Hamas. Almost four years ago, Trump was annoyed that Netanyahu congratulated Biden on his victory.

In his speech to Congress, Netanyahu praised both Trump and Biden, but particularly emphasized what Trump did, from recognizing Israeli annexation of the Syrian Golan Heights to moving the embassy to Jerusalem.

He was received with a standing ovation by the Republicans in the room, but several Democrats boycotted the speech.