Relations between Trump Netanyahu reportedly came under fresh strain after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised a proposed US sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye.

According to Axios, citing two White House officials, US President Donald Trump reacted angrily to Netanyahu’s remarks. The Israeli leader made the comments during a Fox News interview before Trump travelled to Ankara for the July 7-8 NATO summit.

One White House official said Netanyahu’s public criticism frustrated Trump.

Another official told Axios that Trump believed Netanyahu had “no right” to interfere in the proposed US weapons sale.

Despite reports in Israeli media, the White House has not scheduled a meeting between the two leaders.

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The report said Netanyahu had sought a meeting with Trump for more than two weeks. Since Trump returned to office in January 2025, Netanyahu has visited the Oval Office six times.

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu planned to travel to Washington this weekend. He intended to attend the funeral of late Senator Lindsey Graham and meet Trump on Monday.

However, Netanyahu’s office cancelled the trip after organisers postponed Graham’s funeral service.

White House officials said Netanyahu wanted to meet Trump. They also confirmed that Trump’s official schedule did not include such a meeting.

“Our impression was that Bibi was trying to will a meeting into existence,” one White House official told Axios.

The report added that the White House could still arrange a meeting when Netanyahu returns to Washington for Graham’s memorial service.

The reported disagreement comes as tensions grow between the Trump administration and Netanyahu’s government over the conflict involving Iran.

The Axios report followed comments by US Vice President JD Vance. He suggested that some members of the Israeli government wanted to undermine Washington’s diplomatic efforts with Tehran. He also said they sought to prolong the military campaign.

Neither the White House nor Netanyahu’s office has publicly responded to the Axios report.