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Nir Hefetz, a former spokesman for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, claimed that President Donald Trump would not be disappointed if a different leader were to take office in Israel, arguing that attitudes toward Netanyahu within Trump’s inner circle have changed significantly.

Speaking in an interview with 103FM, Hefetz was asked about Trump’s recent remarks regarding the possibility of another Netanyahu candidacy, in which the president said he was unsure whether Netanyahu even wanted to continue serving as prime minister. Hefetz said those comments reflect a broader shift in Washington’s view of the Israeli leader.

According to Hefetz, “Trump’s close circle has for quite some time viewed Netanyahu as a major problem,” adding that during his years in the Prime Minister’s Office, communications with senior American officials were handled by only a handful of trusted advisers.

Reflecting on those discussions, Hefetz said, “During my time, the only people on calls like these were Ron Dermer, who served either as diplomatic adviser or ambassador to the United States, and at times whoever was serving as national security adviser. Sometimes both advisers would participate in the calls. Sometimes it was literally two ears and four eyes, however you want to describe it.”

Hefetz also addressed the possibility of a future leadership change in Israel and suggested that Trump would have little objection to such a development.

“Trump won’t shed a tear if Gadi Eisenkot is Israel’s prime minister six months from now — to put it mildly, he won’t shed a tear,” Hefetz said.

Toward the end of the interview, Hefetz was asked whether he believes relations between Trump and Netanyahu have deteriorated. He responded that he is convinced they have.

“Yes. I’m certain of it. Quite a while ago I said that I identified the beginning of the deterioration in their relationship on the day Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner stood in Hostages Square after the deal. When Witkoff mentioned Netanyahu’s name, the crowd booed. I looked at their faces, and they smiled.”

Hefetz’s comments come amid growing discussion about Israel’s political future and ongoing questions surrounding Netanyahu’s plans ahead of the next national election.

{Matzav.com}

A 30-year-old Israeli citizen was arrested in Thailand on suspicion of using local nominees to acquire land on the island of Koh Phangan in violation of Thai laws restricting foreign ownership of real estate.

According to Thai authorities, the suspect was taken into custody Tuesday at the airport on the island of Koh Samui as part of a broader investigation into alleged schemes designed to conceal foreign ownership of land through the use of Thai citizens serving as nominal shareholders.

Police allege that the Israeli held shares in a company established through an accounting firm that allegedly arranged for Thai nationals to act as proxy shareholders. Authorities claim that land on Koh Phangan was purchased through the company and that the suspect intended to build a private vacation home on the property.

The arrest occurred shortly after the suspect re-entered Thailand. Officials said a regional court in Koh Samui had issued an arrest warrant for him on May 21. During an initial interview with investigators, the suspect reportedly acknowledged that he was the individual named in the warrant.

Authorities further allege that he left Thailand before investigators were able to carry out additional searches connected to the case.

The arrest forms part of a large-scale operation targeting similar arrangements throughout the Koh Phangan area. Thai law enforcement agencies have been investigating networks suspected of using local citizens as fronts to circumvent restrictions on foreign ownership of land.

As part of the ongoing crackdown, authorities issued 45 arrest warrants in mid-May. To date, 27 suspects have reportedly been taken into custody.

Police said the investigation remains active and is examining the possible involvement of the accounting firm as well as Thai nationals who allegedly served as nominee shareholders in the transactions.

{Matzav.com}