Not much is known about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump during his April 8 visit to the White House, however, Israeli media is calling it a snub on the part of Trump. According to the Times of Israel, which covered the story from Israel’s Channel 12 news, Netanyahu was on his way to visit Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, when Trump slammed 17% tariffs on Israel last week. It was then that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Netanyahu and told him he should fly to Washington as soon as possible.
Netanyahu imagined it was about the tariffs, and even remarked from the airport that he would be the first world leader to meet with Trump about the tariffs, proving the “special personal connection” the two leaders have.
But it was only when Netanyahu arrived in Washington, that Steven Witkoff informed him that the visit was not about the tariffs, but that the U.S. was initiating negotiations with Iran on April 12, and they didn’t want Netanyahu to be caught off-guard. Another journalist, who called the visit a “strike-out” for the Israeli prime minister, claimed that Netanyahu and his aides were “evidently taken aback” by the news, but given that he would soon have to appear with Trump before reporters, he had no choice but to go with it. Thus, Netanyahu, who spoke first when reporters were called in, simply said it would be “a good thing” if diplomacy could stop Iran’s nuclear weapons program, but that it had to be stopped one way or another. Trump then made his “direct talks” reveal.
On the tariffs, Netanyahu got no reprieve from the White House. Despite a reportedly “warm” meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Netanyahu was almost scolded by Trump in the Oval Office. “Don’t forget, we help Israel a lot,” said Trump, regarding lifting tariffs on Israel. “We give Israel $4 billion a year, that’s a lot. Congratulations, by the way. That’s pretty good,” Trump added. Netanyahu had no response but had to sit there and smile.