Trump calls Israeli rivals policy twins as he meets Qatari PM
The president says he expects further cabinet changes while acknowledging the economic cost of the Iran war has not made him regret the decision.
By Sakura Novak ·
President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that Israeli political rivals Yair Golan and Benjamin Netanyahu hold nearly identical views on policy, a remark that complicates the narrative surrounding the recent Knesset election results. The president is set to meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in the Oval Office on Monday, a day before the current administration prepares to manage its relationship with a newly Democratic-controlled Congress.
Trump told reporters that the two Israeli leaders are very similar in terms of their policy positions. He noted that Golan, who has been given the first opportunity to form a government, has spoken positively about the American president. Trump added that he has not closely followed the developments in Israel since the election, describing the situation as a contest between Golan and Netanyahu.
The president suggested that Golan avoided criticizing Trump after the latter endorsed Netanyahu ahead of last month's vote. While Golan has sought to distinguish his governance style from that of the outgoing coalition, which included far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, Trump said the substantive policy differences appear minimal to him. Trump added that Golan has said he loves Trump, but the president has not yet seen the full outcome of the political maneuvering.
In a separate discussion on domestic politics, Trump attributed the Republican losses in the midterm elections to a strong American dislike of Israel. Speaking on the program 60 Minutes, Trump said voters did not like the war in Iran or the rise in gasoline prices. He stated that there is an incredible dislike for Israel, a sentiment that Vice President JD Vance had previously highlighted in a social media post blaming the conflict for the electoral defeat.
Trump said he has no problem with Vance’s comments, but he believes the vice president should have added that he would do it all over again. Trump described the conflict as historically one of the best things the country has done, arguing that Iran would have destroyed the world with a nuclear weapon. He maintained that the economic toll of the war has not been enough to make him regret the decision to launch it.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Florida before heading to a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Paris, said that negotiations with Iran are not progressing well. He described the Iranian demands as unacceptable and in some cases outrageous and ridiculous. Rubio acknowledged that while the president prefers diplomatic solutions, the current talks have not been productive. He added that the United States will take defensive actions if there is a clear threat to shipping or US forces in the region.
Trump also addressed speculation regarding his cabinet, stating that he plans to make a few more changes after replacing Chief of Staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller. He expressed confidence in Rubio, saying the secretary is doing a fantastic job and will be sticking around. The president dismissed reports of a potential resignation from his foreign policy chief.
In a lighter note, Trump said he was only kidding when he suggested UFC CEO Dana White could become his next White House press secretary. The comment followed a social media post that stirred speculation about a combative approach to dealing with Democrats. Trump described the suggestion as just a little fun and said White loves the idea, but he did not intend the proposal to be taken seriously.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces reported that troops opened fire on a suspect holding a Molotov cocktail in the area of Zababdeh, south of Jenin. The military stated that the suspect intended to throw the cocktail at forces, and troops hit him with live fire. No Israeli troops were wounded. The Palestinian Authority news agency WAFA reported that the person hit was a 13-year-old boy who was shot in the chest and taken to a hospital.
Residents on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz reported hearing several explosions, according to Iranian state media. Similar reports have been made in previous days without official confirmation of the cause. Rubio did not directly confirm new strikes but reiterated that the United States has the right to defend itself against clear and present threats in the region.
