Israeli PM Netanyahu dismisses speculation of rift with Donald Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, May 21, dismissed speculation of a falling out with the US administration following a visit to the Gulf by US President Donald Trump that left out Israel.Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates hauled in a series of big-ticket business deals but fuelled widespread media commentary pointing out that Israel, Washington’s closest ally in the region, had not been included.
The visit followed Trump’s decision to end a US bombing campaign against the Houthis in Yemen even as the Iranian-backed group continued to fire missiles at Israel and to seek nuclear talks with Iran.
Read More: US approves $304 million missile sale to Turkey as ties warm upNetanyahu, who had previously made no public comment on the issue, told reporters at a news conference that he had spoken to Trump around 10 days ago and the president had told him: “‘Bibi I want you to know, I have a complete commitment to you and I have a complete commitment to the state of Israel.’”

Amid growing international pressure on Israel, Trump has urged a quick end to the war in Gaza and spoken of the suffering of civilians in the besieged enclave, where an 11-week Israeli aid blockade has created a deep humanitarian crisis.

In a separate conversation a few days ago, Netanyahu said US Vice President JD Vance had told him: “‘Don’t pay attention to all these fake news stories about this rupture between us'”.

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