Trump ‘Very Disappointed’ with Netanyahu, ‘Bewildered’ By Israel’s Political Dysfunction

According to Israeli media, US President Donald Trump is “very disappointed” with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and “frustrated” by Israel’s political gridlock, which has prevented the White House from releasing its much-anticipated Middle East peace plan. Following two inconclusive elections, in April and September, respectively, Israel has essentially been without a government for just under a year. Washington has long implied that it is waiting for stability in Jerusalem before unveiling the political components of its proposal to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, with an announcement expected as early as this week on whether Netanyahu will be indicted in any of three corruption cases against him, and with Blue and White leader Benny Gantz having only a handful of days left to form a coalition, the prospect of a third successive election in Israel in early 2020 is looking increasingly likely. This has created “frustration, bewilder[ment] and anger” among Trump Administration officials, according to a senior Israeli source, who added that the US leader had started “speaking negatively” about Netanyahu. The Israeli report, citing other anonymous officials, claimed that President Trump conscientiously began distancing himself from Netanyahu after the latter was unable to form a government in the aftermath of the April elections.