Trump Says Netanyahu May Visit White House Next Week, Says 'He Knows Who The Boss Is'

US President Donald Trump has stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked for a White House meeting, which is expected next week or soon after. The talks are being proposed when both leaders are dealing with imbroglio over regional conflicts, but are still meeting closely on the diplomatic front.

Trump Signals Possible White House Meeting With Netanyahu

Speaking on Saturday, Trump confirmed that Netanyahu had sought a meeting with him and suggested it could happen after his scheduled NATO-related travel.

Commenting on his relationship with the Israeli leader, Trump said, "We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is."

If the visit goes ahead, it will be the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Netanyahu since their Situation Room discussions in February. That earlier meeting reportedly focused on Israel's strategy regarding Iran and broader regional security issues.

Timing Of Visit Still Being Finalised

While Trump indicated the meeting could happen next week, Israeli officials suggested the schedule remains uncertain because of the US President's planned visit to Turkey during the NATO summit on July 7 and 8.

An Israeli official said, "It might take place the week after."

Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Netanyahu and Trump spoke over the phone on Friday, during which Netanyahu congratulated the US President on the 250th anniversary of American Independence Day.

The statement added, "During their conversation, the Prime Minister said that the United States is a guarantor of global freedom, and that Israel greatly values the close relationship between the two nations. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump agreed to meet soon in the United States."

Differences Reportedly Emerging Between Trump And Netanyahu

Although both leaders continue to coordinate closely, reports suggest their relationship has become more complicated in recent months.

According to a US official, several members of Trump's inner circle have grown increasingly doubtful about Netanyahu's judgement following their February discussions.

The official said, "Many of Trump's closest advisers think that Bibi was wrong about everything."

Last month, reports claimed Trump criticised Netanyahu during a phone conversation over Israel's military escalation in Lebanon, allegedly calling the Israeli Prime Minister "crazy" and expressing frustration over what he viewed as a lack of appreciation.

Policy Gaps Grow Despite Continued Diplomatic Engagement

The reported tensions have also raised questions in the GOP, as some of the loudest voices on the MAGA side of the party, such as Tucker Carlson, have called into question America's policy towards Israel and its continuous military operations.

In the past few months, Trump and Netanyahu have allegedly diverged on a number of issues, such as national security, regional diplomacy and domestic politics.

Trump, however, last month signed an MOU to renew nuclear talks with Iran and to extend the ceasefire period, despite the differences. He also asked Israel to "frog back" its military presence in Lebanon and establish a framework agreement with another agreement that involves a preliminary withdrawal from the south.