Netanyahu downplays US-Israel rift after Trump confirms criticism
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the disagreement between the two countries was 'tactical' after US President Donald Trump confirmed criticism directed at him. Al Jazeera reported that Netanyahu used the phrase 'our overall goals are the same'.
According to Al Jazeera, Netanyahu said in remarks from Jerusalem that the disagreement between the US and Israel remains at a tactical level and that overall goals on Iran policy are the same. Trump had told reporters the previous day that his phone call with Netanyahu had been 'tough'.
The US State Department spokesperson, in comments to Al Jazeera, said Washington is maintaining the negotiation framework on Iran's nuclear programme. Likud lawmaker Yuli Edelstein from Netanyahu's cabinet said the coalition will implement security-first policy despite US diplomatic pressure.
Reuters reported that the Israeli shekel lost 0.4 percent against the dollar during the day and Tel Aviv's TA-35 stock index closed lower. Brookings Institution analyst Suzanne Maloney told Al Jazeera that, regardless of the tone of public statements, the diplomatic channel between the parties remains open.
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