President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu are keeping the press out of their meeting, according to a report. The decision stems from fears that widely covered images of the sit-down, as Trump mulls renewing the Iran offensive, would bolster the perception that Netanyahu wields outsized influence over U.S. policy.
Tonight, the meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump concluded at the White House, with the press excluded from the session. The Times of Israel reported that the decision to keep the media out was driven by concerns in both Washington and Jerusalem over the optics of the sit-down, amid fears that widely covered images would portray Israel as driving U.S. policy toward a renewed military confrontation with Iran. The caution comes as President Trump weighs reviving the Iran offensive.
The meeting, which followed Trump's earlier talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, was officially characterized by the White House as "positive and productive" at 18:38 Jerusalem time. CNN first reported the conclusion of the meeting. Earlier, Zelensky described his own meeting as "good" and thanked Trump for protecting Ukrainians, as The Zioneer reported at 18:38 Jerusalem. The Zioneer has previously reported on the strained relationship between Netanyahu and Trump, including reports that Trump grew "highly suspicious" of Netanyahu following Israeli strikes on Beirut, and that Netanyahu pushed for an urgent meeting as Trump neared an Iran deal.
This development unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing tensions over the Iran nuclear deal. The Zioneer has reported that Trump urged Netanyahu to accept a deal and avoid retaliation, and that the two leaders held multiple phone calls amid the escalation. Trump has also publicly shared doubts about Netanyahu's re-election prospects while calling him "a fighter." The White House has previously signaled a policy of disproportionate response to any Iranian harm to U.S. forces.
It remains unclear what specific issues were discussed in the closed-door meeting, and whether the press blackout was a mutual decision or requested by one side. The exact substance of any agreement on Iran strategy also remains unconfirmed.
5 developments
- DevelopingNo meeting set between Netanyahu and Trump next week, according to Israeli journalist
- DevelopingTrump told Netanyahu in advance he would not strike Iran, new call details show
- DevelopingNetanyahu and Trump hold phone call amid Iran escalation
- DevelopingNetanyahu reportedly struggling to establish direct contact with Trump over past ten days
Source and signal
- Open-source intake