Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said there may sometimes be “strategic disagreements” between him and US President Donald Trump over the handling of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, but he stressed that the two leaders remain united on key issues and maintain strong ties.Speaking in an interview with CNBC in Jerusalem, Netanyahu dismissed reports of a growing rift with Trump following recent tensions over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon.He said, “Sometimes, like the best families, we have these tactical disagreements. But we always find a way to overcome them, and we do so as good friends.”He said he and Trump agreed on key objectives, particularly preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and addressing the security threats facing Israel.“We can disagree in the morning and find consensus by afternoon,” Netanyahu said.His comments came after he lashed out at Netanyahu over Israel’s tensions in Lebanon during a phone call on Monday, Axios reports. He called Netanyahu ‘mad’ and accused him of ungratefulness.“You’re crazy. If it weren’t for me, you’d be in jail. I’m saving you. Now everybody hates you. Everybody hates Israel because of this,” Trump said, quoting the US official.Later, Trump publicly acknowledged a heated phone conversation with the Israeli leader over Israel’s continued military action in Lebanon.In an interview with the New York Post, Trump confirmed reports that he had used strong language during talks with Netanyahu, saying he was frustrated that Israel’s operations against Hezbollah were complicating broader diplomatic efforts involving Iran.“I was a little concerned about their continuing fighting with Lebanon,” Trump said.However, the US President also emphasized that his relations with Netanyahu will remain strong.“We’ve worked very well together. I like Bibi very much. And I work very well with her,” Trump said.
Common target on Iran and Hezbollah
During the CNBC interview, Netanyahu said both Washington and Tel Aviv are committed to curbing the influence of Hezbollah, which he described as an Iranian proxy operating from Lebanon.Netanyahu said, “Hezbollah is an Iranian proxy that holds all Lebanese citizens at gunpoint and uses Lebanon as a staging ground to launch terrorist missiles into our cities.”He argued that any long-term peace arrangement between Israel and Lebanon would require Hezbollah to disarm and Lebanon to demilitarize.He said, “If we want to save Lebanon and achieve Lebanese-Israeli peace, we must disarm Hezbollah.”
Netanyahu calls Trump Israel’s ‘biggest friend’
Rejecting suggestions that relations between the two leaders have deteriorated, Netanyahu praised Trump for his support of Israel.When Netanyahu was asked if his relationship with Trump had changed, he said, “No.”“It’s been a very good relationship because he’s been Israel’s best friend ever in the White House,” she said.Netanyahu pointed to Trump’s past decisions as examples of that support, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and supporting Israel on key regional issues.The exchange comes amid ongoing efforts by the United States to balance military tensions in the region with diplomatic talks involving Iran.While Trump has expressed optimism about progress in talks involving Iran and a broader regional solution, the ongoing fighting in Lebanon has emerged as a major point of concern.Despite differences on strategy, both leaders have publicly stated that they are committed to finding a path toward common security objectives and regional stability.