Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he speaks with President Donald Trump roughly “once every two days.” The revelation came as he sought to play down reports of a searing phone call between the two leaders earlier this week.
Benjamin Netanyahu gives update on Donald Trump relationship
Speaking to CNBC on Wednesday, Netanyahu characterised the relationship as one of mutual respect and shared purpose, despite what he called occasional “tactical disagreements.” He said, “We keep in touch. We talk very often. Once every two days. We talk it out… We’re trying to achieve similar goals.”
Netanyahu refused to be drawn on the substance of those conversations, citing concerns about regional adversaries. “I don’t think it makes sense to reveal to Iran the subject of our conversations,” he said.
The interview followed a New York Post report in which Donald Trump confirmed he had berated Netanyahu during a Monday phone call. “I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon,” Trump stated. The president did not deny using explicit language, having reportedly called the Israeli leader “f**ing crazy”.
Yet by Wednesday, Trump had softened his tone considerably. “I like Bibi a lot,” he said, using Netanyahu’s nickname. He added that the two men “work well” together. Netanyahu, for his part, further dismissed any suggestion of a lasting rift. “No, this has been a great relationship because he’s been the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House,” he said.
The apparent friction was about Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon. Donald Trump said on Monday that both Benjamin Netanyahu and a Hezbollah representative had agreed to hold fire. Yet, fighting in southern Lebanon has continued, although the Israeli military did refrain from striking Beirut.
