Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Thursday with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, ahead of an expected meeting with President Donald Trump next month in Washington, D.C.
Giuliani, who was considered for several cabinet posts and is currently serving as an unofficial adviser on cybersecurity for Trump, told Fox News ahead of his visit to Israel that he would relay a private message from the president to Netanyahu.
“I can give the general message, which is ‘I like you very much and we’re very good friends,’” Giuliani told the “Fox & Friends” morning show Monday. “They were friends even before. This is not a new relationship, but now obviously, it’s a much more important one.”
Netanyahu and Trump spoke on the phone Sunday, with Trump describing the call as “very nice.” Netanyahu described the conversation as “very warm” and said he will be traveling to Washington in February to meet with the new president.
“After eight years in which I withstood enormous pressure on various issues, primarily Iran and the settlements, I certainly welcome the change of approach,” Netanyahu said.