President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exchanged praise during a Monday meeting at Mar-a-Lago, but announced no breakthroughs on advancing the Gaza peace plan or resolving differences over the West Bank.
The leaders discussed Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and threats from Iran during a private lunch, with Trump initially telling reporters they would cover “five major subjects” and later claiming quick progress on three.
Netanyahu revealed plans to award Israel’s highest civilian honor, the Israel Prize for Peace, to Trump as its first non-Israeli recipient.
“President Trump has broken so many conventions to surprise people, so we decided to break a convention or create a new one,” Netanyahu said, CNN reported.
Trump called the award “really surprising and very much appreciated.”
“We’ve never had a friend like President Trump in the White House. It’s not even close,” Netanyahu said upon arrival at Mar-a-Lago.
Netanyahu’s visit followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s trip to the club the previous day, part of Trump’s year-end foreign policy engagements.
The pair acknowledged ongoing disagreements on the West Bank, where Trump opposes annexation while Israel has expanded operations since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
“We’ve had a discussion, big discussion, for a long time on the West Bank, and I wouldn’t say we agree on the West Bank 100%,” Trump told CNN.
No deal was reached on shifting to phase 2 of the U.S.-brokered Gaza plan, which requires Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from most of the territory.
Trump downplayed delays, saying he was “not concerned” about Israel’s actions despite Palestinian deaths since the October ceasefire. He blamed Hamas primarily and insisted Israel had met commitments “100%.”
“They’re strong. They’re solid,” Trump said.
Trump warned Hamas to disarm within a “very short period of time” or face being “wiped out,” suggesting signatory Arab nations might intervene militarily, The Hill reported.
Phase 1 is nearly done, with all but one hostage — believed dead — returned.
Trump renewed threats against Iran over reports of ballistic missile buildup after U.S. strikes on nuclear sites earlier this year.
“I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we’re going to have to knock them down,” he said, per CNN. “We’ll knock the hell out of them.”
He added that “very powerful” consequences would be in place if needed, but expressed openness to talks, noting, “Usually, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
On Syria, Trump claimed an “understanding” with Netanyahu and predicted positive ties between Israel and the new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
“He’s a very strong guy, and that’s what you need in Syria,” Trump said of al-Sharaa, per The Hill. “So I hope Israel — I’m sure that Israel and him will get along. I will try and make it so that they do get along. I think they will.”
Netanyahu focused on a “peaceful border” and safety for Druze and other minorities.
Trump mentioned a morning call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who alleged a Ukrainian drone targeted one of his residences, making Trump “very angry.”
“I don’t like it. It’s not good,” he said, adding “a few very thorny issues” remain in Ukraine-Russia talks.
“This is not the right time,” Trump said of the claim, while conceding it might be false, according to CNN.
He downplayed China’s military drills near Taiwan as routine for 20 to 25 years.
Trump briefly described a Venezuela operation targeting a dock used to “load the boats up with drugs,” calling it an “implementation area.”
Trump praised Netanyahu as a “wartime” leader and suggested Israeli President Isaac Herzog would soon pardon him on corruption charges.
“I spoke to the president, he tells me it’s on its way,” Trump said, per The Hill. “You can’t do better than that, right?”
Herzog’s office denied this, stating a recent conversation with a White House aide explained the request’s status and that any decision follows procedures.
“Several weeks ago, a conversation took place between President Herzog and a representative on behalf of President Trump, who inquired about the U.S. President’s letter,” the office said, The Hill reported. “During that conversation, an explanation was provided regarding the stage of the process in which the request currently stands, and that any decision on the matter will be made in accordance with the established procedures.”
Trump also discussed Syria stability, Ukraine peace efforts, and China-Taiwan tensions.
