On April 6, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington for what was billed as a “crucial” meeting with Donald Trump.

Initial reports from Israeli and American outlets were optimistic, with Netanyahu expressing hope that the “special relationship” between the U.S. and Israel would lead to progress on tariffs and hostages.

Western and Israeli Media Reactions

The outcome, however, was far from triumphant. Reports on X (formerly Twitter) and by the Israeli Telegraph Agency described the visit as ending “abruptly and somewhat suspiciously,” with no substantive agreements reached. Western media, including NPR and Fox News, noted that Trump made no commitments on tariff reductions, instead focusing on broader geopolitical issues like Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. military campaigns against Yemen’s Ansarullah. Israeli outlets, such as «The Times of Israel», called the lack of progress “disappointing,” with some commentators suggesting Netanyahu had overestimated his influence on Trump.

During their Oval Office meeting, both leaders addressed the press, but their remarks yielded little in terms of concrete outcomes. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to destroying Hamas and securing the release of Israeli hostages, while Trump hinted at possible direct talks with Iran but offered no guarantees on tariffs. A joint press conference, widely expected, never materialized—further fueling speculation that the meeting had been cut short due to disagreements or a lack of progress.

Western media were quick to highlight the visit’s shortcomings, calling it a missed opportunity for both leaders. The New York Times observed that Trump and Netanyahu had........

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