Tension over triumph
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s last-minute trip to Washington this week to meet with President Donald Trump was meant to be a diplomatic win. Instead, it highlighted how much has changed.
Their Monday meeting in the Oval Office had the optics of a reunion between longtime allies, but beneath the smiles was a growing list of disagreements.
Netanyahu, under pressure at home and abroad, hoped to secure concessions from Trump — including relief from newly imposed U.S. tariffs and support for his hardline stance on Gaza and Iran. Instead, Trump used the moment to announce his own foreign policy pivot: reopening nuclear talks with Tehran. Trump said the U.S. and Iran would hold “direct” talks on Saturday, the first such meeting since the 2015 nuclear accord. Trump, who withdrew from that agreement in 2018, said if the talks were not successful, “Iran is going to be in great danger.” (JTA)
Trump refused to lift the new 17% tariff on Israeli goods — imposed despite Israel dropping all remaining duties on U.S. imports in a last-minute bid for exemption. (Times of Israel)
Trump again floated his idea for the U.S. to take over Gaza, displacing millions of Palestinians while the area is rebuilt. “It’s an incredible piece of important real estate,” Trump said. (JTA)
Trump offered to mediate between Turkey and Israel, telling Netanyahu he could help resolve tensions — but “you have to be reasonable.” (Axios)
Elsewhere in politics…
Ahead of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit last week, the U.S. Naval Academy removed a display honoring Jewish female graduates along with nearly 400 books — including some on the Holocaust, antisemitism, and the history of white supremacy in America. The change was intended to comply with an order to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. (JTA)
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