Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embarked on a significant diplomatic mission to the United States on Sunday to meet with President Donald Trump. This visit aims to reinforce ties with the U.S. government, especially in light of recent tensions with the Biden administration concerning the ongoing war in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s departure for Washington coincides with a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which includes the release of hostages. Negotiations for a potential second phase of this agreement are expected to commence this week. Notably, he will be the first foreign leader to meet with Trump since the latter’s inauguration on January 20, 2023.
“The fact that this will be his first meeting with a leader of a foreign country since his inauguration holds great significance for the State of Israel,” Netanyahu stated, emphasizing the importance of this diplomatic engagement.
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Netanyahu highlighted that this meeting reflects the strength of the alliance between Israel and the United States. He noted that their connection has already yielded significant benefits for Israel and the broader region, including the historic peace agreements known as the ‘Abraham Accords,’ which were facilitated by President Trump.
This diplomatic effort comes nearly 16 months after the onset of the war in Gaza, which was ignited by Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to a robust military response from Israeli forces.
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Netanyahu asserted, “The decisions we made during the war, combined with the bravery of our IDF soldiers, have already changed the face of the Middle East. They have changed it beyond recognition. I believe that with hard work alongside President Trump, we can change it even more for the better.”
“Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have redrawn the map. But I believe that working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even further and for the better,” he added, indicating a forward-looking agenda for Israeli-U.S. relations.
Relations between Netanyahu and former U.S. President Joe Biden were marked by tension during the previous administration. Netanyahu has not visited the White House since regaining office in late 2022.
“We can strengthen Israel’s security, we can expand the circle of peace even further, and we can bring about a wonderful era that we never dreamed of. An era of prosperity, security, and peace from a position of strength,” Netanyahu concluded, emphasizing the importance of Israeli resilience and the enduring alliance with the United States.