Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tapped Ron Dermer this month to serve as his point person for contacts with Washington amid the prospect of renewed US-Iranian negotiations and the Israeli military's escalation in Lebanon. Analysts believe the appointment of Dermer, one of Netanyahu’s closest associates, reflects growing concern in Israel that the White House might advance deals with Iran that do not fully address Israel's security interests.

On Monday — addressing President Donald Trump's announcement that he had submitted a proposal to Iran for ending the war launched by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28 — Netanyahu seemed to be trying to quiet the chatter about such concerns, saying he trusted the American leader to protect Israel’s interests. Trump, Netanyahu said, "believes that there is a chance to leverage the massive achievements of the Israeli military and the US military in order to achieve the goals of the war through an agreement — an agreement that protects our vital interests."

Ynet reported on Monday that Netanyahu had dispatched Dermer to Florida over the weekend, where he met with Trump aides.

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