Trump Says Israel Would Have ‘Been Wiped Out’ Without U.S. Backing
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Israel would have been “terminated years ago” without American military and diplomatic support, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington for high-level talks at the White House. The remarks came ahead of discussions expected to focus on Iran, Gaza, regional security and the future of the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Trump stressed that the United States remains Israel’s strongest ally, insisting that American support has been crucial to the country’s survival over the years.
Netanyahu’s visit comes at a time of growing tensions between the two leaders over the handling of Iran and other regional issues, despite their close cooperation during recent military operations.
The White House meeting is expected to cover Iran’s nuclear programme, security developments in Gaza, the implementation of regional peace initiatives and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords.
Trump also indicated that while he and Netanyahu share many common goals, they do not agree on every issue, acknowledging that differences remain over aspects of U.S. policy in the Middle East.
The talks are being closely watched by the international community as both leaders face political pressure at home and seek to shape the next phase of security and diplomatic efforts in the region.