'Big discussion on West Bank': What went down at Trump & Netanyahu's meeting — key takeaways
President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu met at Mar-a-Lago, presenting a united front but revealing no concrete progress on the Gaza ceasefire's second phase. Trump made some contested claims about potential pardon for Netanyahu, which Israel's presidency disputed, whereas he also went on to issue warnings for Hamas and Iran.
US President Donald Trump on Monday met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, over the Gaza peace plan but steered clear of announcing any progress on the next phase of the ceasefire.The two leaders held a private lunch at Trump’s Florida residence, with the US President saying ahead of the meeting that he planned to discuss “five major subjects,” including Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Iran.
‘Won’t Exist If…’: Trump Praises Netanyahu As ‘Hero’ Israel Never Had | Watch
While Trump later suggested that several issues were quickly narrowed, no concrete decisions were unveiled after more than an hour of talks.Also read: ‘We will knock them down’ — Trump draws red line on Iran’s missile programme; Tehran fires back with warning
Gaza ceasefire: Phase two still elusive
A central focus of the meeting was the stalled second phase of the US-brokered Gaza truce, which is meant to pave the way for an interim Palestinian administration, an international stabilization force and reconstruction of the region which is in shambles after over two-years of current war. Trump played down the lack of visible progress, saying he was “not concerned about anything that Israel’s doing” and asserting that Israel had “lived up” to its commitments.He placed responsibility squarely on Hamas, warning: “If they don’t disarm as they agreed to do, then there will be hell to pay for them. They have to disarm in a fairly short period of time.”Hamas’s armed wing reiterated on Monday that it would not surrender its weapons.
Trump nevertheless insisted, “Israel’s lived up to the plan 100 per cent,” adding, “They’re strong. They’re solid,” reported CNN.
Praise-heavy optics, divisions beneath
The talks at Mar-a-Lago were dominated by mutual praise. “We’ve never had a friend like President Trump in the White House. It’s not even close,” Netanyahu said on arrival. Trump returned the compliment, calling their ties “extraordinary” and remarking, “If you had a weak man, you wouldn’t have Israel right now.
Israel, with most other leaders, would not exist today.”
Netanyahu announced that Israel would award Trump its highest civilian honour, marking the first time it would go to a non-Israeli. “President Trump has broken so many conventions to surprise people, so we decided to break a convention or create a new one,” Netanyahu said.
Trump said the recognition was “really surprising and very much appreciated,” and described Netanyahu as a “wartime” leader.However, Trump acknowledged lingering differences, particularly over the West Bank. “We’ve had a discussion, big discussion, for a long time on the West Bank, and I wouldn’t say we agree on the West Bank 100 per cent,” he told CNN, reiterating his opposition to annexation.
