{"id":120376,"date":"2025-04-09T17:05:21","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T15:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/?p=120376"},"modified":"2025-04-09T11:47:03","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T09:47:03","slug":"09-05-115","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/?p=120376","title":{"rendered":"Trump hopes Netanyahu is \u2018being appreciated, because he\u2019s been a great leader\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>Trump hopes Netanyahu is \u2018being appreciated, because he\u2019s been a great leader\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n

Alex Traiman<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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There is a great battle of civilizations taking place, a World Series, that includes the West.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk to the press at the White House on April 7. Photo by Avi Ohayon\/GPO.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Among all the other headlines on Iran, Gaza, hostages, Houthis, Turkey and tariffs, one of the statements U.S. President Donald Trump made to the media with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 7 was perhaps seen as a throwaway line.\u00a0Yet it may have been among the most important statements made during the lengthy press conference.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding Netanyahu, Trump stated: \u201cI hope he\u2019s being appreciated, because he\u2019s been a great leader.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From inviting Netanyahu to be the first world leader to meet him at the White House after his Jan. 20 inauguration to inviting him now a second time before many world leaders have even gone once, making him the first leader to come to the Oval Office to discuss the administration\u2019s controversial new tariffs, Trump has demonstrated that he truly respects Israel and its prime minister.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe appreciate you being here, and we are a friend of Israel. As you know, I always say that I\u2019m by far the best president that Israel has ever had,\u201d Trump stated, while acknowledging that most Israelis see it the same way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it\u2019s an honor to be so, and to be so proud. We have many friends in Israel. They are not in an easy area; it doesn\u2019t go easy, but we are helping them. And likewise, they have been helping us very much,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

A large and vocal minority within Israel refuses to acknowledge Netanyahu\u2019s leadership, even as he has been navigating some of the most difficult challenges in Israel\u2019s history. For the prime minister\u2019s reflexive detractors, Netanyahu can do nothing right\u2014even the things that are seemingly obvious to everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

On this trip, Netanyahu was ensuring the world\u2019s most important superpower is in lockstep with Israel on long list of complicated issues related to the complex multifront war, regional realignment and now an economic realignment.<\/span><\/p>\n

A\u00a0Times of Israel<\/em>\u00a0article summarizing Netanyahu\u2019s trip was titled, \u201cAfter softball visit to Hungary, Netanyahu strikes out in DC meeting with Trump.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The article started by acknowledging that just prior to the meeting with Netanyahu, the baseball world champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, came to visit Trump in the White House.\u00a0The piece went on to use baseball analogies to chronicle what the author perceived as three swings and misses by Netanyahu in the Oval Office:\u00a0That he didn\u2019t secure tariff relief; that America will reenter nuclear talks with Iran; and that Trump is a friend of Netanyahu\u2019s enemy, President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan of Turkey.\u00a0And it implied that Netanyahu had been on a cushy state-funded vacation in Budapest.<\/span><\/p>\n

The piece was a foul ball. Netanyahu\u2019s meetings with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n and then Trump were not only highly productive; they were essential.\u00a0And both are likely to prove highly consequential in the weeks ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Defeating the International Criminal Court<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, it is essential for Netanyahu to demonstrate that he is not completely landlocked.\u00a0 If the Israeli leader can touch down in a major European capital, and be treated with pomp and circumstance, it belittles the court\u2019s attempt to bully Israel.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Orb\u00e1n announced that Hungary would withdraw from the ICC for becoming a \u201cpolitical tool,\u201d Netanyahu praised his ally. \u201cThis is not only important for us, it\u2019s important for all democracies. It\u2019s important to stand up to this corrupt organization that has equated a democracy that is challenged for its very existence by the most horrific terrorist powers on earth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Netanyahu went on to predict: \u201cYou are the first, I dare to say I don\u2019t think the last, but the first state that walks out of this corruption and this rottenness. I think it will be deeply appreciated not only in Israel but in many, many countries around the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

If Netanyahu does not prevail over the court, IDF soldiers could be next on the warrant list. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis would be prevented from safely leaving Israel\u2019s borders.\u00a0The weeks ahead will prove whether Netanyahu\u2019s prediction that other countries will follow Hungary\u2019s lead is correct, and whether Israel will ultimately win the battle against the International Criminal Court.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a great battle of civilizations taking place, a World Series, that includes the West.\u00a0There is a battle for the soul of Europe, the soul of America and the soul of Israel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Viktor Orb\u00e1n is a leading figure in the battle for Europe.\u00a0 Donald Trump is attempting to reset American power and a broken world order.\u00a0And Benjamin Netanyahu is on the frontlines against radical Islamic forces as well as anti-Israel and anti-nationalist Western powers.\u00a0All three are fighting against their own well-funded domestic deep states.<\/span><\/p>\n

Removing daylight<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When the president of the United States sends an invitation to an Israeli prime minister, there is little choice but to accept. Especially now.\u00a0Israel desperately relies on American assistance for critical munitions and weapon supplies and international backing as it fights Hamas, as well as Iran and its band of terror proxies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Israel needs American backing for any plans to resettle hundreds of thousands of Gazans outside the battered Strip, or for any military campaign to destroy Iran\u2019s nuclear program.\u00a0And while Trump has proven himself to be a loyal ally, there is plenty of room for America and Israel to veer into differing policy directions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A face-to-face meeting can aid in realignment and reduce any perceived daylight between America and Israel. The prime minister had been working on arranging a second meeting with Trump in the coming weeks, after the Passover holiday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The issue of tariffs prompted a more urgent get-together.\u00a0Israel, like so many other countries in the world, was about to get hit with a stiff tariffs regime on exports to America.\u00a0With America being Israel\u2019s largest export market, mostly in the hi-tech sector, Israel\u2019s economy stood to lose big.<\/span><\/p>\n

Negotiating tariffs<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Netanyahu advanced his upcoming trip to jump to the front of the line of leaders wanting to discuss tariffs. The leadoff visit brought Netanyahu into a position of both national and global leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Oval Office, Netanyahu told Trump regarding existing Israeli tariffs on American products, \u201cWe are going to eliminate the tariffs and rapidly,\u201d adding, \u201cWe\u2019re going to also eliminate trade barriers, a variety of trade barriers that have been put up unnecessarily.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He then said, \u201cWe will eliminate the trade deficit with the United States. We intend to do it very quickly. We think it\u2019s the right thing to do\u2026. I think Israel can serve as a model for many countries who ought to do the same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Trump was gracious, stating, \u201cI appreciate very much what you said about the tariffs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Times of Israel<\/em>\u00a0and other Netanyahu critics pointed to the fact that Trump did not commit to reducing the newly announced 17% tariff on Israeli goods.\u00a0They explained the lack of a tangible takeaway as Trump\u2019s inherent rejection of Netanyahu\u2019s offer, and therefore a diplomatic failure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintaining leverage<\/strong><\/h4>\n

However, it is very likely that Israel has indeed improved its economic position.\u00a0There was no way Trump was going to publicly announce the results of his discussions with Netanyahu over tariffs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The reason is simple: Dozens of other heads of nations are about to follow Netanyahu\u2019s lead and try negotiating new trade agreements with the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

Had Trump announced any reduction of Israel\u2019s tariffs, it would have created a baseline for negotiations with other countries.\u00a0There was simply no way the author of \u201cThe Art of the Deal\u201d was going to put his cards on the table and give up negotiating leverage ahead of a marathon round of calls with other heads of state.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, it was clear that Trump welcomed Netanyahu\u2019s statements, eager to demonstrate to other nations that if they want to negotiate a reduction, they should follow Netanyahu\u2019s lead.<\/span><\/p>\n

A conciliatory approach<\/strong><\/h4>\n

With Netanyahu typically a recipient of Trump\u2019s material support, the visit provided an appropriate opportunity for Netanyahu even up the deficit of diplomatic tradeoffs by giving Trump what it was Trump wanted: a world leader coming to him publicly with a conciliatory approach on trade.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following his visit to the White House, Netanyahu stated, \u201cPresident Trump has asked countries to reduce their trade deficits with the United States to zero. I told him, \u2018This is not so difficult for us. We will do it.\u2019 This is the little that we can do for the U.S. and its president, who does so much for us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Let my people go<\/strong>!<\/h4>\n

Trump spent a major portion of the press briefing talking about the plight of the remaining Israeli hostages, and the barbaric conditions in which they are being held. It is clear the issue has struck a major nerve, and that while dealing with numerous other issues, Trump is prioritizing the return of the hostages.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trump did Netanyahu a favor by stressing that not only are he and his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff working hard to secure the return of the hostages, but so is Netanyahu.\u00a0At home, Netanyahu faces continual baseless accusations by his longtime political opponents that he is abandoning the hostages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For months, anti-Netanyahu protestors were busy repairing their image by supporting the families of the hostages, after attempting to tear the country to shreds in the weeks before Oct. 7, 2023. Yet, in recent weeks, the movement has returned to the same divisive and destructive rhetoric and tactics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the country now realizes that the anti-Netanyahu movement\u2019s focus on the hostages is ultimately disingenuous.\u00a0The issue was carefully selected because the protest organizers projected from the outset that Netanyahu would be unlikely to succeed in resolving the hostage crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, this is the very reason the movement chose the phrase \u201cBring Them Home\u201d as the centerpiece of their signage and protests, instead of the more appropriate \u201cLet my people go!\u201d While the latter phrase places responsibility for the hostages\u2019 release on Hamas, \u201cBring them home\u201d puts the responsibility squarely on Netanyahu.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has proved his detractors wrong, returning 196 of 255 hostages so far, and focusing immense attention on trying to negotiate additional releases.<\/span><\/p>\n

While noting that \u201cthe Israeli people want the hostages out, more than anything. They want the hostages out,\u201d Trump acknowledged Netanyahu\u2019s persistence. \u201cThis man is working very hard with us to do that. I mean, I don\u2019t know. I hope he\u2019s being appreciated, because he\u2019s been a great leader. He\u2019s working very, very hard on the hostages and many other things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Following the meeting, Netanyahu stated, \u201cThe president looked at me and told the journalists who were present: \u2018This man is working constantly to free the hostages.\u2019 I hope that this shatters the lie that is being circulated to the effect that I am not working for them, that I don\u2019t care. I do care, and I am doing it, and we will be successful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t understand why Israel gave up Gaza\u2019<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Meanwhile, Trump doubled down on his paradigm-shifting statements in February regarding the United States taking a leading role in the rebuilding of Gaza while resettling Gazans outside of the now-battered Strip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Asked what he thought about Gaza, Trump stated, \u201cI think it\u2019s an incredible piece of important real estate, and I think it\u2019s something that we would be involved in. But you know, having a force like the United States there, controlling and owning the Gaza Strip, would be a good thing, because right now, all it is for years and years, all I hear about is killing and Hamas and problems. And if you take the people, the Palestinians, and move them around to different countries, and you have plenty of countries that will do that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Then Trump acknowledged what members of the Israeli right have been saying for years, since Israel\u2019s fateful 2005 disengagement. (It should also be noted that Israel\u2019s left was incensed by right-wing street protests against the ill-fated withdrawal.)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand why Israel never gave it up. Israel owned it. It wasn\u2019t this bad,\u201d he said. Then, referring to Netanyahu, Trump noted, \u201cSo, I can say he wouldn\u2019t have given it up. I know him very well. There\u2019s no way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Land for peace formula: \u2018Not good\u2019<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Taking a strong dig at Ariel Sharon, a right-wing, Likud Party prime minister who went on to unilaterally implement the very same left-wing policy he vowed to oppose in a general election, Trump stated, \u201cThey took oceanfront property, and they gave it to people for peace. How did that work out? Not good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The comment sent a strong signal about Trump\u2019s stance on left-wing delusions regarding a future Palestinian state in the biblical provinces of Judea and Samaria, referred to as the West Bank by those who don\u2019t want the rest of the world to know it is historic, indigenous Jewish territory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Resettling Gazans = Total victory<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Moving one million Gazan residents or more out of the Strip to other countries will shift the entire balance of power within the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, turning Palestinians from a demographic threat between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea into an ethnic minority.<\/span><\/p>\n

Netanyahu on Tuesday credited Trump for his bold and refreshing thinking, stating that the two leaders, \u201cdiscussed President Trump\u2019s vision, because we are currently in contact with countries that are talking about the possibility of taking in many Gazans. This is important because in the end, this is what needs to happen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, it is clear that Netanyahu\u2019s team has been influencing \u201cTrump\u2019s vision.\u201d\u00a0 Resettling the Gazans has long been an unstated war aim and will represent the ultimate \u201ctotal victory\u201d Netanyahu has been referring to over Hamas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting the hostages home and resettling Gazans elsewhere would be an inning-ending double play.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Iran is going to be in great danger\u2019<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Diffusing the ticking time bomb of Iran\u2019s illicit nuclear weapons program without military intervention would certainly be a dream scenario.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A military conflict could have severe consequences for Israel, as well as for other countries in the region. Iran has already threatened to launch attacks on Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar or Saudi Arabia if America launches military strikes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, a non-military solution can only be accomplished with the credible threat of maximum economic sanctions and military force. With snapback sanctions on Iran set to go into effect in the coming weeks, significant economic pressure is nearly in place.<\/span><\/p>\n

More importantly, America\u2019s punishing airstrike campaign across Yemen, targeting Iran\u2019s terror proxy, the Houthis, is proof positive that Trump is not afraid to use targeted military force to restore law and order to the Middle East. Furthermore, there is a precedent.\u00a0America pressured Libya to allow U.S. inspectors to come into the country and dismantle its nuclear program.<\/span><\/p>\n

This appears to be Trump\u2019s preferred path, and Netanyahu appears to be onboard.\u00a0Both leaders made it patently clear that they are unwilling to accept a nuclear Iran.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think if the talks aren\u2019t successful with Iran, I think Iran is going to be in great danger, and I hate to say, great danger, because they can\u2019t have a nuclear weapon,\u201d Trump stated in the Oval Office. \u201cYou know, it\u2019s not a complicated formula. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon \u2026 and if the talks are not successful, I actually think it would be a very bad day for Iran if that\u2019s the case.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Trump is attempting a two-out rally to pressure Iran to give up its illicit nuclear program.\u00a0But it is clear that the count is full. The Israeli Air Force is swinging the bat on deck, with the U.S. Air Force coming up after.<\/span><\/p>\n

Netanyahu on Tuesday said of the meeting with Trump that first, \u201cWe agree that Iran will not have nuclear weapons. This can be done by agreement, but only if this agreement is Libyan style: They go in, blow up the installations, dismantle all of the equipment, under American supervision and carried out by America. This would be good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Netanyahu and Trump also seem to be on the same page that negotiations must not turn into an attempt for Iran to step out of the box and buy extra time.\u00a0\u201cThe second possibility, that will not be, is that they drag out the talks. Everyone understands this. We spoke about this at length,\u201d said the Israeli premier.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jive Turkey<\/strong><\/h4>\n

One of the war\u2019s biggest surprises was the sudden fall of Bashar Assad, and Turkey\u2019s push into belligerent push into northern Syria via its own proxy, Hayat Tahrir a-Shams (HTS), and its desire to establish military bases in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Israel took bold action in the immediate aftermath of Assad\u2019s fall to destroy the overwhelming majority of Syria\u2019s military assets. The last thing Israel wants is a militarized terror group\u2014HTS, formerly affiliated with Al-Qaeda\u2014on its northern border.<\/span><\/p>\n

Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that \u201cTurkey wants to establish military bases in Syria, and this endangers Israel. We oppose this and are working against it. I told President Trump, who is my friend and also a friend of [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan: \u2018If we are in need of your help, we will discuss it with you.’\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In the press briefing, Trump pledged to help mediate between Israel and Turkey, if necessary.\u00a0\u201cI told the prime minister, I said, just maybe if you have a problem with Turkey, I really think I\u2019m going to be able to work it out. And I have a very, very good relationship with Turkey and with their leader, I think we\u2019ll be able to work it out. So I hope that\u2019s not going to be a problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Trump noted that Turkey has essentially taken control of Syria \u201cthrough surrogates.\u201d There are multiple ways to deal with this problem.\u00a0One would be to open up another military front. Trump seeks to de-escalate the region\u2019s conflicts.\u00a0It appears he is willing to accept Erdogan\u2019s \u201cvery smart\u201d move, provided that Syria remains essentially demilitarized, and Erdogan does not directly threaten Israel.<\/span><\/p>\n

If Erdogan is not content, Trump is willing to step in. \u201cAny problem that you have with Turkey, I think I can solve,\u201d Trump said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Great closeness and friendship<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Netanyahu concluded by acknowledging the importance of his rapidly scheduled meeting with Trump. \u201cI have just finished my second visit to the U.S. in two months, a very warm visit with my friend President Donald Trump. You could be impressed from the great closeness and friendship between us, which was expressed in the issues we discussed,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

The trip to America, preceded by the trip to Hungary, were both wins for the prime minister.\u00a0Rather than strike out or be humiliated, like his opponents falsely project, Netanyahu demonstrated that he remains at the top of his game, in a league of his own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s beleaguered prime minister scored several runs with a series of the base-clearing line drives in the gap.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Alex Traiman<\/strong> is the CEO and Jerusalem bureau chief of the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) and host of \u201cJerusalem Minute.\u201d A seasoned Israeli journalist, documentary filmmaker and startup consultant, he is an expert on Israeli politics and U.S.-Israel relations. He has interviewed top political figures, including Israeli leaders, U.S. senators and national security officials with insights featured on major networks like BBC, Bloomberg, CBS, NBC, Fox and Newsmax. A former NCAA champion fencer and Yeshiva University Sports Hall of Fame member, he made aliyah in 2004, and lives in Jerusalem with his wife and five children.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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Trump hopes Netanyahu is \u2018being appreciated, because he\u2019s been a great leader\u2019 Alex Traiman There is a great battle of civilizations taking place, a World Series, that includes the West. U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk to the press at the White House on April 7. Photo by Avi Ohayon\/GPO. Among […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[26,24],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120376"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=120376"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":120393,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120376\/revisions\/120393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=120376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=120376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=120376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}