Axios reports the White House was surprised by Israeli media claims that Trump
would host Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu next Monday; no meeting has been
scheduled. Netanyahu has sought a meeting for more than two weeks while past
visits were typically finalized within days, a delay the White House sees as
reflecting diverging interests and growing disappointment since the two jointly
launched a war on Iran five months ago. Trump had said Netanyahu could visit
after the NATO summit on July 7–8, but no arrangements were made. Netanyahu’s
office said a planned US trip was canceled after the postponement of the funeral
for former U.S. senator Graham. White House officials say the meeting was never
confirmed or entered on the president’s calendar and that Trump is very annoyed
by Netanyahu’s public criticism of the planned F-35 sale to Turkey, saying
Netanyahu should not be intervening on the issue.
