Israeli’s Netanyahu Seeks to Dispel Rumors of Strained Relations With US

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought at a press conference Wednesday evening to refute rumors of a fracturing relationship with the U.S.  

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s trip to the Middle East last week, Netanyahu insisted that warming relations between the U.S. and Arab nations won’t harm U.S.-Israel relations, The Times of Israel reported.  

“Let me give you some details that perhaps haven’t been made public,” Netanyahu said, according to a translation of his remarks from The Times of Israel. “A few days ago … I spoke on the phone with President Donald Trump. And he said to me, literally: ‘Bibi, I want you to know—I have absolute commitment to you. I have absolute commitment to the state of Israel.’” 

Netanyahu also recounted a recent call with Vice President JD Vance, saying, “He said to me … ‘Listen, don’t pay attention to all this fake news about this rupture between us … . It’s all spin. This isn’t the truth. You know it’s not true, and I’m telling you, from our side, it’s not true.’”  

The Israeli prime minister said Trump’s meetings in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates might serve Israel’s interests by causing more Arab nations to normalize relations with the Jewish state through signing onto the Abraham Accords.  

“I’ve always wanted to expand the circle of peace, to extend a hand to our friends and push back the sword of our enemies,” Netanyahu said. “I’m very determined in this, and I’m focused on it.” 

Netanyahu’s comments come as the Israeli leader is under pressure from Britain, Canada, and France to stop its aggressive military campaign in Gaza.  

“We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,” a joint statement issued Monday from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada reads.  

“We call on the Israeli government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza,” the statement continues.  

Israel launched Operation Gideon’s Chariots over the weekend. Under the new campaign, the Israel Defense Forces will not retreat from any area its troops gain control of, but will maintain control of conquered territory.   

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