Trump, Netanyahu aide held meeting before MidEast trip: Axios
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US President Donald Trump held a meeting with the top Netanyahu aide, Ron Dermer, on Thursday, amid a growing rift between the Israeli and United States administration.
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President Donald Trump, left, greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on April 7, 2025, in Washington (AP)
US President Donald Trump held a meeting with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who is a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Thursday, according to Axios.
The two discussed a variety of matters, ranging from the nuclear talks between the United States and Iran to the war in Gaza, Axios reported, citing two sources briefed on the meetings.
The meeting, held at the White House and not publicly disclosed by either the US or "Israel", took place ahead of two major events: the fourth round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, set for Sunday in Muscat, and Trump’s upcoming Middle East trip, which begins Monday. Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, and skip "Israel".
The meeting was somewhat unusual, given that presidents typically do not meet with foreign officials who are not heads of state or government, Axios reported.
It occurred just two days after Netanyahu and his team were caught off guard by Trump’s surprise announcement of a truce with Ansar Allah, an unexpected move that highlighted the growing gaps in trust and coordination between the two administrations, according to Axios.
The US President's announcement closely followed the Israeli airstrikes on the Sana'a International Airport, and shocked Israeli officials when they found out that the ceasefire does not apply to Ansar Allah strikes on "Israel".
This raised concerns among Israeli officials that "Israel" will not influence the talks between the US and Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear program, concerns which Ron Dermer conveyed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Netanyahu wants to push Trump towards the military option against Iran, but Trump, however, prefers to strike a deal with Iran instead.
Trump cuts off contact with 'Israel'
"Israel's" Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, drew criticism for speaking "with his usual arrogance" during meetings with senior Republican officials, where he explicitly detailed actions President Trump "must take", according to Israeli Army Radio diplomatic correspondent Yanir Cozin, who cited a senior Israeli official.
Dermer’s approach appears to have backfired, as Trump’s inner circle reportedly warned him that “Netanyahu is manipulating the American president”, a characterization that deeply displeased Trump, given that, as the cited official noted, “Trump hates nothing more than appearing to be manipulated.”
According to the correspondent's post on X, this perception led Trump to sever contact with Netanyahu, a decision that, while subject to potential future changes, currently remains in effect.
