Axios: Netanyahu asked Trump not to lift sanctions on Syria
Axios website reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked US President Donald Trump not to lift sanctions on Syria, explaining that Trump didn’t inform Israel in advance of the decision to hold a meeting with Syrian transitional President Ahmed al Sharaa.
Axios quoted Israeli officials as saying that Netanyahu took advantage of his meeting with Trump at the White House last month to ask him not to lift sanctions on Syria and expressed concern about Türkiye’s role in Syria, however, Trump ignored Netanyahu’s position.
Axios quoted a source as saying that the Trump administration hadn’t informed Israel in advance of Trump’s decision to meet with al Sharaa in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom (Israel Today) reported that Netanyahu was preparing for a confrontation with Trump following his statements and positions on several issues.
The Israeli newspaper reported that Netanyahu prepared for Trump’s Middle East tour through diplomatic steps, including extensive consultations with his cabinet ministers and senior defense officials, and he also formed a team to confront Trump.
Israel Hayom explained that this team, which is tasked with sensitive issues, doesn’t focus on diplomacy or security, but rather on political and media strategies.
The Israeli newspaper said, “There will be no need to deliver a dramatic speech before Congress to attack Trump, because his greatest dilemma is his Christian Republican base, which unconditionally supports Israel”.
