Cover image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem photographed on March 19, 2026 and US President Donald Trump in Morristown, New Jersey, on May 22, 2026. © Ronen Zvulun, Brendan Smialowski, AFP

'One of the best conversations I’ve had': Netanyahu praises ‘excellent’ meeting with Trump

· France 24

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he had an "excellent" meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, marking their first face-to-face talks since the war with Iran began in late February.

"I've just finished an excellent meeting with President Trump," Netanyahu said in a video statement, adding it touched on "our common goal: ensuring that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons". "It was one of the best conversations I've ever had with the President of the United States, our friend Donald Trump."

Relations between Netanyahu and Trump have occasionally appeared strained in recent months, but both have sought to tone things down.

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Cover image: © France 24

Israel has not taken part in the latest round of hostilities between the United States and Iran, which flared earlier this month after an April ceasefire collapsed.

Relations between the two leaders reached a low point in April during negotiations on the ceasefire, with Trump unleashing profanity-laced tirades against his Israeli ally.

Read moreIsrael detains over 70 suspects following deadly violence in the West Bank

Trump later described Netanyahu in an interview as a "very difficult guy".

Netanyahu downplayed the exchanges as "tactical disagreements", saying they were aligned on the goals of the war.

Netanyahu's visit comes months ahead of Israel's national elections, in which he plans to seek another term. 

 

Read moreIsraeli ex-army chief emerges as main rival to Netanyahu ahead of general election

Recent polls show Netanyahu trailing, with public anger still lingering over his government's failure to prevent Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which sparked the Gaza war.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)