Trump says Israel 'would not survive' without US ahead of Netanyahu meeting
The US president’s remarks on Monday came as Washington diverges from Israeli war aims in Iran, with a ceasefire in place and talks ongoing.
Donald Trump set the stage for his first meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu in months by declaring that Israel “wouldn’t survive” without the United States and downplaying concerns about selling F-35s to Turkey. The two leaders are due to meet in Washington on Tuesday, hours before attending the funeral of Republican senator Lindsey Graham.
Frankly we’re being very nice to a lot of countries that would not survive without us. And you know who wouldn’t survive without us? Israel. Bibi’s coming, he’ll tell you.
Trump acknowledged “a little difference” in military objectives and hinted at tensions, saying the US has been overly generous. Netanyahu, departing for the US, said the talks would “first and foremost” be about Iran but “all issues” would be on the agenda. A person briefed on the visit said Netanyahu wanted US operations against Iran to expand beyond the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that has become the conflict’s focal point. The US paused bombing last Friday after 13 consecutive nights, with UN ambassador Mike Waltz saying Trump hoped to give “the talks some space.” Netanyahu also expected to raise alarm over Turkey’s request for F-35 jets, which Israel fears would erode its regional military edge.
