Trump says relationship 'very good' after Netanyahu rejects Gaza plan
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President Trump insisted Monday his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu remains 'very good' after Netanyahu formally rejected a U.S.-drafted 15-point peace plan for Gaza. The rejection, made explicit on Sunday, deepens a public rift between the allies over the hard-power strategy. Even as the Board of Peace says the framework is still operative, discussions with Israel continue.
The Rejection
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday formally rejected the 15-point Gaza peace plan drafted by the U.S.-led Board of Peace. The plan, unveiled on July 31, called for a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces in tandem with Hamas disarmament. Netanyahu stated that the Israeli army 'will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed' and vowed that 'no Palestinian state will arise' under his watch. His far-right cabinet members had urged him to kill the plan, which polls show is unpopular with his base.
Trump's Response
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump insisted his relationship with Netanyahu is 'very good' despite the rejection. The brief comment, made in response to a journalist's question, came after over a week of gradually escalating U.S. criticism. Al Jazeera correspondent Patty Culhane reported that Netanyahu is playing a 'very dangerous game' with Trump, noting growing Democratic Party support for the Palestinian cause. The exchange signals a widening policy rift between Washington and Tel Aviv.
Board of Peace Position
A Board of Peace official told Reuters on Monday that the Gaza plan remains operative. The framework is designed to proceed in stages, with each step conditional on verified commitments. Discussions with Israel are continuing, the official said, emphasizing that the roadmap was agreed upon with Hamas. The statement suggests the U.S. administration is not immediately abandoning the plan despite Netanyahu's public rejection.
What's Next
Discussions between the U.S. and Israel are set to continue over the coming days. It remains unclear whether Netanyahu will soften his stance in the face of U.S. pressure, given the opposition from his right-wing coalition.
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Trump says relationship 'very good' after Netanyahu rejects Gaza plan
