WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Donald Trump as the 鈥済reatest friend Israel has ever had,鈥� following a meeting between the two leaders at the White House.
鈥淚鈥檝e said this before, I鈥檒l say it again: you are the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House,鈥� Netanyahu told reporters after the meeting in Washington. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 why the people of Israel have such enormous respect for you.鈥�

This first visit of a foreign leader during Trump鈥檚 second term comes amid lagging support for Netanyahu in Israel.

The Israeli prime minister faces competing pressure from his right-wing coalition to end a temporary truce in Gaza and from war-weary Israelis who want the remaining hostages home and the 15-month conflict to end.