ISRAEL/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared President Trump to Cyrus the Great, Lord Balfour and Harry S. Truman — historic giants who helped secure the future of the Israeli people. Mr. Trump called Mr. Netanyahu a ‘very special man.’ If the expressions of praise seemed unequal, they accurately conveyed the political dynamic between Mr. Trump and Mr. Netanyahu during the Israeli leader’s visit to the White House on Monday [3-25-19]. Mr. Netanyahu was thanking Mr. Trump for signing a proclamation recognizing Israel’s authority over the long-disputed Golan Heights — a valuable political gift to the prime minister two weeks before he faces voters in a hard-fought election back home. Mr. Trump, fresh off news that an investigation of his possible ties to Russia did not find evidence of a conspiracy, was happy to show support to an ally who still faces indictment in Israel on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.”
–Mark Landler and David M. Halbfinger, “Trump, With Netanyahu, Formally Recognizes Israel’s Authority Over Golan Heights,” The New York Times online, March 25, 2019