Netanyahu meets with Trump as Israeli prime minister wraps up US trip
PALM BEACH, Fla. - Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their first face-to-face meeting in nearly four years on Friday and offered optimism about progress toward a cease-fire deal for Gaza.
The meeting comes as Netanyahu prepares to wrap up his U.S. visit. Netanyahu told journalists that he wanted to see U.S.-mediated talks succeed for a cease-fire and release of hostages, the Associated Press reported.
"I hope so," Netanyahu said, when reporters asked if his U.S. trip had made progress. While Netanyahu at home is increasingly accused of resisting a deal to end the 9-month-old war to stave off the potential collapse of his far-right government when it ends, he said Friday he was "certainly eager to have one. And we’re working on it."
Trump was waiting on the stone steps outside his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, to greet the Israeli leader on the fifth day of his visit to the U.S., his first trip abroad since Israel's war with Hamas began nine months ago, according to the AP.
"We’ve always had a great relationship," Trump told journalists. Asked as the two sat down in a muraled room for talks if Netanyahu’s trip to Mar-a-Lago was repairing their bond, Trump responded, "It was never bad."
Former President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) as they pose for a photo within their meeting at Mar-a-Lago estate, in Palm Beach, Florida, United States on July 26, 2024. (Photo by Amos Ben-Gershom (
Netanyahu handed Trump a framed photo that the Israeli leader said showed a child who was taken captive by Hamas-led militants in the first hours of the war. "We'll get it taken care of," Trump assured him, the Associated Press reported.
In a statement after the two men began discussions, Trump aides told the Associated Press that he pledged to "make every effort to bring peace to the Middle East" and combat antisemitism on college campuses if American voters elect him to the presidency in November.
Netanyahu's Florida trip follows a fiery address to Congress and separate talks with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, newly Trump's Democratic rival for the presidency.
Trump to meet with Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago
After years of rift, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with former President Donald Trump. This will be the first time they are speaking in person in nearly four years. Former Netanyahu Advisor Ruthie Blum joined LiveNOW from FOX to further detail the upcoming meeting.
Why did Netanyahu and Trump's relationship become rocky?
When Trump left the White House, the relationship between the former president and Netanyahu broke down after the prime minister congratulated Joe Biden on winning the 2020 presidential election.
According to the Associated Press, in public postings and statements after his break with Netanyahu, Trump portrayed himself as having stuck his neck out for Israel as president, and Netanyahu paying him back with disloyalty.
RELATED: 'America and Israel must stand together': Netanyahu gives fiery speech to Congress
WATCH IN FULL: Netanyahu addresses joint session of Congress
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress for the first time since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel killed 1,200 people and resulted in the taking of hostages to Gaza, where about 100 are still believed to be held captive.
Trump also has criticized Netanyahu for not being "prepared" for the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks that started the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu acknowledges Trump during speech
During his speech to Congress on Wednesday, Netanyahu gave credit to Biden, who has kept up military and diplomatic support for Israel's offensive in Gaza despite opposition from some Democrats.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu praised Trump, calling the regional treaty Trump helped establish historic and thanked him for what he did for Israel.
RELATED: Israel calls Gaza cease-fire a ‘nonstarter,’ undermining Biden’s proposal
When was the last time Trump and Netanyahu met face-to-face?
Netanyahu and Trump last met at a September 2020 White House signing ceremony for the signature diplomatic achievement of both men’s political careers, the Associated Press reported.
It was an alliance negotiated by the Trump administration in which the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain agreed to establish normal diplomatic relations with Israel.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.