JC Israel Briefing Day 550: Trump-Netanyahu meeting underwhelms

Iran Nuclear Talks

Trump’s big reveal was that negotiations between the US and Israel and Iran on the country's nuclear programme are already underway and will become direct negotiations on Saturday. He repeated his threat of military action if things do not go as he hopes, saying that if talks fail: “It’s going to be a very bad day for Iran.”

Israel welcomes Trump’s openness to force against Iran, but is sceptical of the potential for diplomacy, and is believed to fear that direct talks will unduly give Iran legitimacy in international perceptions. Netanyahu delivered what was widely seen as a coded rejection of partial limits or monitoring, the likes of which Trump is thought to be weighing. He said he would welcome a Libya-style deal—referring to the 2003 agreement in which Libya gave up its entire nuclear programme.

Gaza War and Hostage Deal

Trump reiterated that Israel has his backing in relation to Gaza, while also saying that he wanted the Gaza war to stop “not in the too-distant future.” The two leaders discussed options for a temporary truce to enable further releases.

Tariffs and Trade Tensions
The meeting came as Trump is widely imposing tariffs – and ended without the relief deal Israel was hoping for. Netanyahu had emphasised when leaving for Washington that he would be the first foreign leader to meet Trump face to face since tariffs were announced, and was believed to be hoping for some special treatment – especially after announcing that Israel is lifting tariffs on US goods. But Trump did not oblige.

When Netanyahu pledged to eliminate Israel’s trade deficit and noted the plan to remove all tariffs on US goods, Trump refused to reciprocate. “Maybe not,” he said, when asked if he would lift the new 17 per cent tariff on Israeli imports. “Don’t forget, we help Israel a lot.” Israeli officials warned the tariffs could cost $3 billion a year and 26,000 jobs. Analysts believe that Trump may use the duties as leverage to extract concessions on Gaza.

Was Netanyahu Trump's Political Prop?
Analysts in the New York Times and elsewhere suggested that Trump used the meeting to project dominance, sidelining Netanyahu for domestic optics. A joint press conference was cancelled. Trump praised Erdogan—Netanyahu’s rival—and reminded him publicly of US aid. Netanyahu sat silently as Trump made policy declarations. Commentators said the Israeli prime minister looked passive, proving useful to Trump’s messaging but not given the chance to bring anything new to the discussion.

In other diplomatic news Egypt has come up with a draft deal to release eight hostages over seven days. In return, Israel is asked to agree to a ceasefire of 40 to 70 days, renewed aid access, and phased prisoner swaps.

To reassure Hamas that Israel will comply, Egypt structured the plan so one hostage is freed daily. Egypt is pressing Washington to endorse the plan.

Yesterday was 18 months since the war began, and to mark the occasion hostage activists released a searing report revealing that some captives who were released came home in life-threatening condition. Doctors warned that time is running out for those still held. The report documented abuse, starvation, and medical neglect.

Elma Avraham, 85, was denied essential medication for 50 days. She was released with a body temperature of 28C and a pulse of 40 – doctors said she was hours from death.

Hanna Katzir, 77, died a month after her release due to captivity-induced complications. Health staff reported that upon their return hostages lost up to 40 per cent of their body weight.

Some hostages came back with broken bones, infected wounds, and rotting tissue. One returned with teeth shattered from beatings.

In a parallel development, the mother of Matan Angrest, 22, who is still in Gaza, said yesterday that he is expected to be disabled for the rest of his life.

Angrest was pulled from a burning IDF tank. Former hostages have reported seeing him when they were in Gaza – in a small cage, starving and in darkness. His mother said: “Matan’s face is not symmetric anymore. His hand that was badly injured wasn’t treated… He will be disabled his whole life.” She warned his life is in danger.

Meanwhile, ten British nationals have been accused of war crimes in Gaza while serving with Israeli forces, in a 240-page dossier submitted to Scotland Yard. Human rights lawyer Michael Mansfield led the report. It alleges deliberate targeting of civilians and aid workers, and coordinated attacks on hospitals and religious sites.

In that vein, the IDF investigation into the killing of Red Crescent medics near Rafah has yielded findings. The military, emphasising that it believes six of the 15 dead were Hamas militants, said that troops opened fire after sensing a threat during clashes. The incident has drawn scrutiny over military engagement rules and the protection of medical teams in combat zones.

And Israel’s high court is sitting this morning to consider the legality of the government’s firing of the Shin Bet Chief. The dismissal of Ronen Bar has become a flashpoint issue between supporters and opponents of the government.

The former echo the government, which cited “lack of trust”, while the latter say that the firing shows Netanyahu is ousting him because he is involved in investigations against members of the prime minister’s office.

Today’s hearing is considering a petition to block the firing, and so far Supreme Court President Isaac Amit has described the dismissal as “unprecedented," and there has been much heckling in the courtroom.

Before the hearing got underway, Interior Minister Moshe Arbel has reassured government critics who have been voicing fears that Netanyahu may ignore the ruling if it goes against him. “The decision that is made will be respected by the State of Israel and the government of Israel. There is no question,” Arbel said yesterday according to Yediot Ahronot.

On a separate issue, Arbel said voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza is underway. He said that over 16 flights had departed from Ramon Airport carrying Gaza residents to third countries. No destinations were named.

Rights groups criticised the departures, arguing that wartime emigration may amount to coercion. The government has not responded to those concerns.

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