Witkoff Rejects Claims of a Split Between Trump and Netanyahu

WITKOV DISMISSES RUMORS OF TRUMP-NETANYAHU RIFT

WASHINGTON, DC — A senior adviser to President Trump, Steve Witkov, has labeled recent reports of a rift between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “fake news” and “idiotic.” In an exclusive interview, Witkov suggested that many of these reports should be taken with a grain of salt, emphasizing a pattern of dismissing half the narrative surrounding their relationship.

“To start, I think we can disregard a significant portion of those reports. There’s a similar mindset in discounting half of them,” Witkov remarked during the interview, filmed at the White House. He underscored the steadfast alliance between Netanyahu and Israel, asserting that both have been, and will likely remain, strong allies of the U.S. He recalled numerous meetings with both leaders, noting their friendship and suggesting that the media has misinterpreted their discussions, especially regarding major strategic and economic issues.

Witkov’s defense of Trump and Netanyahu came ahead of the president’s upcoming trip to the Middle East, which includes visits to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Notably, Witkov also mentioned meeting with Iranian representatives for the fourth time this year, indicating efforts to counter the nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran.

Contrasting Witkov’s statements, Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported last week, citing anonymous sources close to Trump, that the president was “disappointed” in Netanyahu, suggesting he might pursue a different approach in the region. This report has sparked significant attention, particularly as many in Israel are pressing for renewed efforts to address the situation in Gaza.

Netanyahu has publicly praised his discussions with Trump, calling their summit in February “the greatest meeting of all time.” This raises questions about the accuracy of reports suggesting any discord between the two leaders.

Witkov is also involved in negotiations concerning the Gaza conflict and expressed a desire to retrieve hostages, indicating these negotiations are ongoing and complex. “I feel we might still manage to extract the final group of hostages. It’s tense, and we’re in talks daily with various parties involved,” he explained, expressing hope for progress.

When questioned about Hamas’s reluctance to accept negotiation terms, Witkov admitted he struggled to understand their reasoning. He speculated that miscommunications might arise from using intermediaries rather than engaging directly with Hamas. If necessary, he would be open to speaking directly with Hamas if directed by the president, though he expressed uncertainty over the wisdom of such discussions.

“As someone trying to make sense of their stance, I wish I had a clearer answer,” Witkov commented. “But with the current communication approach, it complicates things. If the president gave me the go-ahead, I would consider it, but I think that direct engagement with terrorist organizations is something we should be cautious about.”