For Israel, an undramatic meeting between Netanyahu and Trump was enough – opinion

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's eighth meeting with US President Donald Trump was notably undramatic, held without cameras or journalists, a departure from typical high-profile encounters. This low-key approach was beneficial for Netanyahu, as a public meeting risked a rebuke from Trump, whose relationship with the Israeli leader has become strained. Trump and his administration are reportedly frustrated with Israel, accusing it of "dragging" the US into a "forever war" with Iran. Vice President JD Vance stated that Israel's pressure campaign aimed to draw the US deeper into confrontation, potentially against American interests. Given these tensions, Netanyahu's goal was to demonstrate that the strategic relationship between Israel and the US, and between him and Trump, remained intact despite policy disagreements. The meeting's success will ultimately be judged by future developments: whether Iran is prevented from rebuilding its nuclear capabilities, if American and Israeli strategies remain aligned, and if the leaders can set aside differences amid high stakes.