‘Bibi called’: Trump claims to speak with Netanyahu on near daily basis
GOP candidate tells campaign rally ‘we have a very good relationship,’ days after saying the PM phoned because he ‘wants my view on things’
ZEBULON, Georgia — Donald Trump boasted on Wednesday of almost daily conversations with Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that he has a very good relationship with the Israeli prime minister.
Trump has previously cast himself as Israel’s “protector” and said Netanyahu’s government must “finish the problem” in its war against Hamas.
“Bibi called me yesterday, called me the day before,” the Republican candidate, using Netanyahu’s nickname.
“We have a very good relationship,” Trump said at a campaign rally in the US state of Georgia, adding: “We’re going to work with them very closely.”
He also said “unfortunately they didn’t listen to [US President Joe] Biden because… they’d right now be waiting for a bomb to drop on them, and they did their own work.” Trump then noted Biden’s opposition to Israel striking Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities in response to a recent Iranian missile attack, saying, “really, that’s sort of the opposite.”
Trump had already reported a telephone conversation with Netanyahu on Saturday, claiming that the Israeli leader “wants my view on things.”
Trump says he's talking to Netanyahu nearly every day and adds, "fortunately they didn't listen to Biden." pic.twitter.com/0b8vzriZiE
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 23, 2024
The last public call between Biden and Netanyahu was on October 17, when the American leader congratulated his Israeli counterpart on the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, according to the White House. They also held a call earlier this month following the Iranian attack on Israel, after not speaking for weeks.
During his visit to the US Congress at the end of July, Netanyahu paid a vibrant tribute to Trump, thanking him for everything he has done for Israel.
Netanyahu and Trump enjoyed a very warm relationship during the latter’s first term in office, when the former president moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem, pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights and oversaw the Abraham Accords.
But their ties quickly soured after Netanyahu recognized Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Trump went on to describe the Israeli premier as an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians and repeatedly claimed Netanyahu had backed out of plans to assist the US in killing top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
The two have apparently patched up their differences in the lead-up to the November 5 presidential election, with Trump hosting Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago resort in July during the prime minister’s visit stateside and speaking with him by phone.
However, two Israeli officials expressed concerns to The Times of Israel over Trump’s repeated call for Israel to swiftly defeat Hamas and wrap up the war in Gaza, fearing an inability to do so will lead to a clash if he wins the upcoming election.
