Trump team responds to media reports of 'rift' with Israeli PM

In an interview with an American news outlet conducted last week and published on the evening of May 11, Trump’s envoy emphasized that Netanyahu and the Israeli people "are a staunch ally of the United States."

"I’ve been at multiple meetings with the president and the Prime Minister—they’re friendly. They’re good friends in fact," Witkoff said.

At the same time, Trump’s envoy noted that this does not mean the leaders of the two countries "agree on absolutely everything." He called media reports about allegedly strained relations between the US president and the Israeli prime minister "preposterous."

"You have a newspaper person who hears about a small disagreement about something that normal human beings like me and you would pay no attention to, but that particular newspaper reporter then conflates that into some large article about some massive issues that they have?" Witkoff said.

The diplomat emphasized that Israel is "a great partner for the United States, strategically, economically, we think very much alike, we have very similar objectives."

He added that official Jerusalem does not want to see Iran as a "weaponized nuclear state."

Media reports on rifts between Trump and Netanyahu

Last week, the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported, citing two anonymous sources close to President Trump, that he is "disappointed" with Netanyahu and has decided to pursue Middle East policy independently of Israel.

Western media pointed out that Netanyahu himself has spoken highly of his relationship with Trump this year. After the February summit with the US president, he told Breitbart News it was "the best meeting ever" between an Israeli prime minister and an American president.

Additionally, in April, Trump stated that he and Netanyahu hold the same position on the Iran issue.

Reports in US media about 'rift' between Trump and Netanyahu

Meanwhile, on May 11, NBC News, citing sources, also reported some recent disagreements between Trump and Netanyahu. According to the report, the two leaders have increasingly diverged on strategies for addressing current issues, particularly the war in Gaza, the nuclear threat from Iran, and countering the Houthis.

NBC News claimed:

• Trump is seeking a nuclear deal with Tehran, while Netanyahu favors the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities.

• Trump is pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza and wants to implement his own post-war reconstruction plan, while Israeli forces are expanding their military operation against Hamas.

• The US president has halted the American military campaign against the Houthis, whereas Netanyahu is planning further Israeli operations against the Iran-backed group.

These reports in Western media emerged as the Trump administration and Hamas reportedly began talks about a ceasefire between militants and Israel in Gaza, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave.