'Netanyahu asks for more support from Trump, for the White House it is a sign of desperation'

In recent days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked President Trump to show greater public support for his election campaign. Axios reports this, citing a US source informed of the facts and an Israeli source familiar with the matter. According to the US source, the White House interprets Netanyahu's insistent pressure as a 'sign of desperation' and an indication that the Israeli leader believes he is at a disadvantage.

Neta Molcho, spokeswoman for Netanyahu's Likud party, denied that the prime minister had asked Trump to support his campaign "in recent days or before his statement of support". The White House did not respond to a request for comment. But the US source reported that Netanyahu spoke to Trump twice in the last three days, asking him to strengthen the support he already expressed last week via a post on Truth. According to the source, Netanyahu even suggested the text of further statements of support. An Israeli source briefed on Netanyahu's initiatives added that the Israeli prime minister proposed that Trump hold talks with Israeli journalists to reiterate his support.