ALBAWABA – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump has no intention of recognizing a Palestinian state, dismissing reports of a diplomatic rift between the two leaders.
Speaking before the Israeli Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Netanyahu addressed recent media speculation about tensions with Washington. “I saw in the media that there’s supposedly a rift between me and Trump,” he said. “But the U.S. Ambassador to Tel Aviv, Mike Huckabee, has successfully stirred the conversation.”
Netanyahu went on to clarify the nature of his relationship with Trump, stating, “We talk every few days. Trump himself said we see things the same way. So I don’t believe you’ll be hearing anything about a Palestinian state.”
The Israeli prime minister also stressed that Israel does not seek American approval for its military actions, including recent strikes on Gaza and operations targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels. “We didn’t ask for permission to strike the Houthis, nor do we seek approval for our military strategies in Gaza,” Netanyahu asserted. “The Americans volunteered to intervene against the Houthis and said they would stop once the attacks cease.”
His comments come amid reports by NBC News citing growing tensions between the two leaders, particularly over how to respond to Iranian threats, the prolonged war in Gaza, and the regional impact of the Houthi movement. The report also claimed that Trump’s public remarks last week had frustrated Netanyahu and added to the unease.
Meanwhile, President Trump is preparing for his first major overseas tour of his second term, scheduled from May 13 to 16. The trip will include visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. He previously made a brief stop in Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.
The tour is expected to focus on regional security, Iran, and cooperation with Gulf allies—issues at the core of recent Israeli-American dialogue.
