A CNN report says US President Donald Trump was initially unwilling to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Netanyahu's current visit to Washington. The report, based on US and Israeli sources, suggests the hesitation came before the two leaders moved ahead with talks.
According to the account, the main reason was a growing gap between Washington and Jerusalem on several regional matters. The report points to differences over Iran, Lebanon and other Middle East issues, indicating that the discussions were shaped by more than scheduling or protocol.
The reported reluctance is notable because Trump and Netanyahu have often been seen as close political partners. If accurate, it would signal a period of friction behind the scenes, with strategic disagreements affecting even the decision to hold a face-to-face meeting.
While the full details of those policy disputes were not outlined in the available report, the story adds to the picture of a more complicated US-Israel relationship on current regional questions. Netanyahu's Washington visit therefore appears to have taken place amid real debate over how to handle key security and diplomatic challenges.
