Netanyahu, Trump Deny Allegations of Partisan Hostage Deal Delay

Prime Minister Netanyahu and former President Trump have vehemently denied claims that Trump requested a delay in a hostage deal for political gain during a phone call.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump have vehemently denied allegations that Trump urged Netanyahu to postpone a hostage deal with Hamas until after the 2024 presidential election for political advantage. The accusations, initially reported by PBS NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff, have been met with swift and forceful denials from both parties.

Woodruff apologized profusely for her reporting, acknowledging that she relied on third-party sources that have since retracted their claims. She clarified that she had not been the original reporter and had not adequately verified the information before presenting it.

Netanyahu, Trump Deny Allegations of Partisan Hostage Deal Delay

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office denounced Woodruff's reporting as "a complete lie" and released a statement denying any such conversation between Netanyahu and Trump regarding the hostage and ceasefire deal. Axios, which initially reported the alleged phone call, has since updated its story to reflect Netanyahu's denial.

Trump, too, vehemently denied the allegations, stating that he had not spoken to Netanyahu since the latter's visit to Mar-a-Lago in July. During a press conference in New Jersey, Trump recounted his advice to Netanyahu during that meeting, urging him to conclude the conflict in Gaza swiftly and decisively.

Netanyahu, Trump Deny Allegations of Partisan Hostage Deal Delay

Congressman Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) sharply criticized Woodruff for perpetuating the unfounded story, emphasizing that Netanyahu's office had outright denied its veracity. He demanded that Woodruff retract her statement if she had any journalistic integrity.

Despite inquiries from Fox News Digital, PBS has yet to provide a response.

Netanyahu, Trump Deny Allegations of Partisan Hostage Deal Delay

The alleged phone call was purported to have taken place on August 14th, reportedly revealing Trump's request that Netanyahu delay any deal that could potentially benefit Vice President Kamala Harris's political campaign.

Trump maintained that he had had no contact with Netanyahu since July and had not engaged in any discussions regarding a potential hostage deal. He expressed his belief that these allegations were politically motivated attempts to undermine his reputation.

Netanyahu's office further dismissed the claims, asserting that any dealings with Trump regarding the conflict in Gaza had occurred in July. They vehemently denied the existence of any subsequent phone call and condemned the false reporting.

The retraction of the allegations by both Netanyahu and Trump, as well as the subsequent apology from Woodruff, has effectively quashed the unfounded story. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information and upholding journalistic integrity, especially when dealing with sensitive issues of national importance.