Jerusalem, 4 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that US President Donald Trump took firm and uncompromising positions during their recent meetings on Gaza, Iran, and Venezuela, stressing that Hamas must disarm, Iran must abandon nuclear enrichment, and Washington is justified in acting to restore democracy in Venezuela.
Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting after returning from Washington, Netanyahu said he and Trump discussed “all of the developments in the region,” beginning with Gaza. He said the US president was unequivocal that any political framework for ending the war depends on Hamas laying down its weapons.
“He said it plainly: the essential condition is that Hamas disarms,” Netanyahu told ministers. “There is no other option. This is an essential and fundamental condition for the implementation of his 20-point plan.”
Netanyahu said Trump repeated the message both in private meetings and publicly, adding that the US president “made no concessions and showed no flexibility on this issue.”
The talks also focused on Iran, Netanyahu said, with both leaders reaffirming a joint position opposing any uranium enrichment by Tehran. “We reiterated our joint position of zero enrichment,” he said, alongside the need to remove roughly 400 kilograms of enriched nuclear material from Iran and to place nuclear sites under “tight and genuine supervision.”
Netanyahu said the discussions took place as “developing, dramatic events” were unfolding inside Iran, and voiced support for the Iranian people. “The Government of Israel, the State of Israel, and my policy identify with the struggle of the Iranian people, with their aspirations for freedom, liberty, and justice,” he said. “It is very possible that we are standing at the moment when the Iranian people are taking their fate into their own hands.”
Iranians have taken to the streets nationwide for the past week, demonstrating against the government’s handling of the collapsing economy.
Turning to Venezuela, Netanyahu expressed full backing for recent US actions, saying Israel supports Washington’s efforts “to restore freedom and justice” there. He said broader changes were underway across Latin America, with several countries moving closer to the United States and renewing ties with Israel.
“We congratulate President Trump on his decision,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel also salutes US military forces for what he described as “a perfect operation.”
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