White House views Netanyahu lobbying 'sign of desperation,' Axios reports
- Israeli premier said to have urged Trump to bolster public endorsement ahead of parliamentary vote
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- Israeli premier said to have urged Trump to bolster public endorsement ahead of parliamentary vote
By Yasin Gungor
ISTANBUL (AA) - The White House views intense lobbying by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for campaign support as a "sign of desperation" ahead of Tuesday's parliamentary elections, US news website Axios reported on Sunday.
Citing a US source familiar with the matter, Axios said officials interpreted the "aggressive" outreach as evidence that the Israeli leader believes he is trailing in the election race.
Netanyahu reportedly spoke with US President Donald Trump twice in three days, urging him to reinforce his last week's endorsement and proposing specific language alongside phone interviews with Israeli journalists.
Netanyahu faces a tough contest against opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot.
Final television polls released on Friday show the prime minister's coalition falling well short of a majority.
Muhammed Yasin Güngör