The president's special envoy has called his boss an "incredible friend" of the Jewish people

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has quipped that Donald Trump could serve as both US president and Israeli prime minister. While Trump has traditionally positioned himself as strongly pro-Israel, Witkoff's remarks come amid reports of a strong rift between the US leader and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking at a fundraising gala for the emergency response group United Hatzalah in New York on Wednesday, Witkoff described Trump as "an incredible friend to the Jewish people."

"No disrespect to Prime Minister Netanyahu, who I actually spoke to today, but I think President Trump could be the first sitting president who could be prime minister of Israel at the same time," Witkoff said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.

The envoy also stressed that the two countries must act together to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, "no matter the cost." Tehran has denied that it has plans to develop the weapons, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

In October 2022, Trump said he "could easily be PM" of Israel, suggesting that "no President has done more for Israel than I have."

The Trump administration has typically had close ties with Israel. However, media reports indicate that there are growing policy differences with Netanyahu over the war in Gaza and other regional issues.

According to CNN, Trump has urged Netanyahu to end the conflict with Hamas, which has brought unprecedented destruction and loss of life to the Palestinian enclave, while pressuring him to abandon plans for a military strike against Iran.

Tensions have also been fueled by the recent US decision to conclude a ceasefire with the Houthis in Yemen, who back Hamas, and the lifting of sanctions on Syria.

Netanyahu has stated that Israel's goal remains the complete destruction of Hamas, promising last month that "all of the territories of the Gaza Strip will be under Israel's security control" once the offensive in the enclave is complete. He also dismissed reports of a breakdown in ties with Washington.