Benjamin Netanyahu abandoned plans for a White House meeting during an upcoming U.S. trip as disagreements involving weapons sales, the Iran war and Israeli influence efforts exposed growing friction with President Donald Trump’s administration.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled a planned visit to Washington that was expected to include a meeting with President Donald Trump, a decision made as public disagreements place increasing pressure on relations between the two governments.
The Israeli leader’s office attributed the change to complications involving the funeral schedule for the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Netanyahu had been preparing to travel to the United States from Saturday through Tuesday, but the anticipated meeting with Trump did not come together, i24NEWS reported Thursday.
A person familiar with the discussions suggested the decision involved more than routine scheduling difficulties.
“Right now, Netanyahu isn’t interested in a White House photo-op,” the source told i24NEWS. “[I]t’s simply not the right timing.”
The White House, the U.S. Department of State and Israel’s foreign press department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Netanyahu had originally prepared for a U.S. visit connected to Graham’s funeral and was expected to pursue a meeting with Trump while in the country. Graham died July 11, and Netanyahu publicly honored the senator the following day during a Fox & Friends interview.
Netanyahu described Graham as “a great friend of Israel and a great friend of mine.”
The funeral has since been rescheduled for July 28. Netanyahu reportedly still intends to attend, although it remains uncertain whether he will make another attempt to arrange a meeting with Trump around the new date.
The canceled Washington plans come as the Trump administration and Netanyahu’s government confront several disagreements over U.S. policy and continuing military operations in the Middle East.
One source of friction reportedly involves Netanyahu’s criticism of Trump’s willingness to approve the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye. Netanyahu raised objections during a June 13 Fox News interview, and Trump was subsequently described as “p***** off” by the Israeli leader’s remarks, according to reporting citing Axios.
The dispute places Netanyahu at odds with Trump over the administration’s dealings with Türkiye, a NATO member whose regional interests have frequently conflicted with those of Israel.
Vice President JD Vance has separately criticized individuals within Israel whom he accused of attempting to influence Americans in favor of extending the war with Iran.
Speaking with Joe Rogan on the podcaster’s July 15 program, Vance said he trusted certain members of the Israeli government but believed others “are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely,” according to i24NEWS’ account of the interview.
Vance’s remarks indicated that concerns within the administration extend beyond individual policy disagreements and include allegations that some Israeli figures are conducting an online campaign designed to shape U.S. sentiment about the conflict.
The political environment surrounding Israel has also shifted as the United States approaches the midterm elections. About 60% of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of Israel, according to findings published by the Pew Research Center in April.
That figure represents a 7-percentage-point increase from the previous year, with negative attitudes rising particularly among younger Americans.
Netanyahu’s decision to forgo a Washington appearance avoids a public meeting at a time when the two administrations are divided over Türkiye, the duration of the Iran conflict and the Israeli government’s approach to American public opinion. Whether the prime minister will seek another meeting with Trump when he returns for Graham’s July 28 funeral remains unresolved.
Original article
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