Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he hopes to be able to present progress on the peace path with Lebanon during his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump, noting that the date of the meeting has not yet been set.
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu made it clear that there are no fundamental differences between him and Trump, adding that the differences that appear are due to the difference in their style of expression, but he stressed that Israel and the United States are “the best allies.”
Netanyahu considered that weakening Iran would open the door to new peace agreements similar to the “Abraham Accords,” noting that the current regional developments may prepare for a new phase in the path of normalization in the region.
He also stressed that Israel stood by the United States in the confrontation with Iran, “unlike Türkiye,” as he put it.
Netanyahu attacked the Turkish president, saying, “Turkey is a wonderful country, but it is run by someone who openly calls for the destruction of Israel,” in reference to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reflecting the continuing political tension between Ankara and Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu’s statements come in light of the diplomatic activity taking place in the region following the recent military confrontation with Iran, and at a time when the United States and Israel are talking about new political and security arrangements in the Middle East. The Lebanese file also stands out among the issues being followed by Washington and Tel Aviv, in light of American efforts to consolidate security understandings on the southern border, in parallel with broader efforts to reduce regional tension. On the other hand, relations between Israel and Turkey have witnessed escalating tension since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, after the two sides exchanged sharp criticism over political positions and military operations, which was reflected in the level of bilateral relations between the two countries.
