Head of Israel's public diplomacy division Tzipi Hotovely briefed reporters traveling with Prime Minister Netanyahu to Washington, stating that the meeting with President Trump was characterized by full coordination and identity of goals, focused on preventing a nuclear Iran. Hotovely said the 'Mount Makosh' issue was not raised, and that there is agreement on expanding the Abraham Accords. An Israeli source in Washington confirmed that Trump did not demand any Israeli withdrawal in any theater.
Head of Israel's public diplomacy division Tzipi Hotovely briefed reporters traveling with Prime Minister Netanyahu to Washington on Tuesday evening, stating that the meeting with President Trump was characterized by "full coordination and identity of goals" focused on preventing a nuclear Iran. Hotovely said the issue of the Mount Makosh underground nuclear facility was not raised, and that there is agreement on expanding the Abraham Accords. An Israeli source in Washington separately confirmed that President Trump did not demand any Israeli withdrawal on any front, contrary to some speculation.
The briefing builds on a sequence of official readouts throughout Tuesday. At 10:26 Jerusalem, the White House characterized the Netanyahu-Trump meeting as "positive and productive." At 15:47 Jerusalem, President Trump said he did not need Israeli intelligence on Iran, adding that Netanyahu would present intelligence because he wants to be involved. At 20:16 Jerusalem, Jerusalem sources said two objectives were achieved in the meeting, without specifying them. At 20:22 Jerusalem, a senior Israeli official described the meeting as "very positive" with "chemistry between the leaders," reiterating that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons. Hotovely's briefing adds the specific confirmation that no withdrawal demands were made and that the Mount Makosh intelligence was not discussed.
As The Zioneer reported earlier, the Israeli delegation had prepared to present new intelligence on Iran's nuclear activities at Mount Makosh, including the transfer of centrifuges to the fortified site. However, Trump's earlier comment that he did not need Israeli intelligence, combined with Hotovely's statement that the topic was not raised, suggests the meeting focused on broader strategic coordination rather than detailed intelligence sharing.
The specific objectives achieved in the meeting, referenced by Jerusalem sources at 20:16, have not been detailed. The absence of the Mount Makosh issue from the discussion, despite earlier expectations, remains a notable gap in the public readout.
34 developments
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