Trump meets Netanyahu, mends relationship with key political ally
The Hindu
Former President Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu meet to mend political alliance, discuss Gaza ceasefire, and combat antisemitism.
A beaming former U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to their first face-to-face meeting in nearly four years on Friday, patching up a political alliance important to both men that had broken down when the Israeli leader offended Mr. Trump by being one of the first to congratulate Joe Biden on his 2020 presidential victory.
Asked by journalists if his U.S. trip was making progress toward a Gaza ceasefire at home, Mr. Netanyahu said, “I hope so,” and added that Israel was eager for an agreement.
Mr. Netanyahu handed Mr. Trump a framed photo that the Israeli leader said showed a child who has been held hostage by Hamas-led militants since the first hours of the war. “We’ll get it taken care of,” Mr. Trump assured him.
Mr. Trump’s campaign said he pledged in the meeting to “make every effort to bring peace to the Middle East” and combat antisemitism on college campuses if American voters elect him to the presidency in November.
Mr. Trump was waiting for Mr. Netanyahu on the stone steps outside his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, where he warmly clasped the hands of the Israeli leader. Both men have a strong interest in resuming their relationship, including for the political support and luster their alliance brings.
“We’ve always had a great relationship,” Trump insisted before journalists. Asked as the two sat down in a muraled room for talks if Netanyahu's trip to Mar-a-Lago was repairing their bond, Mr. Trump responded, “It was never bad."
As president, Donald Trump went well beyond his predecessors in fulfilling Mr. Netanyahu’s top wishes from the United States. Yet by the time Mr. Trump left the White House, relations had soured, with Mr. Trump publicly criticising Netanyahu as disloyal despite the other man’s efforts to mend ties.
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