White House Conversation: Trump's Question Made Netanyahu Hesitate

The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu in the Oval Office revealed a cooling between the leaders. Trump's question about polls made the prime minister hesitate, and an aide said he was winning. However, polls show the coalition lacks mandates, and Eisenkot enjoys greater support. Disagreements were exacerbated over Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon. Netanyahu rejected the plan to disarm Hamas but, after talking with Kushner, promised to give the plan a chance. The opposition asked Trump not to interfere.

The meeting between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office demonstrated a cooling between the leaders ahead of the Israeli elections. According to journalist Barak Ravid, when the US president asked about the prime minister's current poll numbers, Netanyahu hesitated. One of his aides saved the situation by saying, "Mr. President, he is winning." However, Trump did not provide the public support Netanyahu had hoped for. Polls show that the ruling coalition lacks enough mandates to form a government, while the opposition bloc has an advantage. The prime minister's main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, enjoys greater voter support. Netanyahu's policy is to try to block the opposition from forming a coalition. Disagreements were exacerbated by the conflict with Iran, fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. Netanyahu's rejection of the American plan to disarm Hamas was seen in the White House as a political maneuver. Tensions eased after communication with Jared Kushner: Israel promised to give the peace plan a chance and reduced the intensity of military operations. Opposition leaders, including Eisenkot, Yair Lapid, and Naftali Bennett, asked Trump's team not to interfere in the elections. Trump decided to distance himself, not wanting domestic political struggles to hinder his plans for regional settlement.