Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet United States President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday in their first face-to-face meeting since the outbreak of the Iran war, with regional security expected to dominate discussions.
The meeting comes amid efforts by Washington to revive diplomatic negotiations over the conflict, despite previous public disagreements between the two leaders on how the war should be handled.
Although relations between Netanyahu and Trump have appeared strained in recent months, both leaders have sought to downplay their differences ahead of the talks.
This will be their eighth meeting since Trump returned to office and their first in-person discussion since the conflict involving Iran began.
Speaking before leaving Israel on Monday, Netanyahu said the meeting carries significant importance for his country.
“This is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility,” Netanyahu said.
“We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran. Naturally, our goal is to safeguard our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us,” he added.
The discussions are expected to focus on the implementation of the US-backed agreement between Israel and Lebanon, as well as the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, where reconstruction efforts have largely stalled following years of conflict.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains severe nearly three years after the war between Israel and Hamas began, with Israeli forces continuing operations against individuals it describes as militants.
Despite reports of tensions between Trump and Netanyahu earlier this year—including sharp exchanges during ceasefire negotiations—Netanyahu has described the disagreements as tactical rather than fundamental, insisting both leaders remain committed to the same overall objectives.
International relations expert Yonatan Freeman of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said one of the key goals of the meeting is to demonstrate that the alliance between both countries remains strong.
“The main issue is to show the world, to show Iran, and also Lebanon and others, that there is no break or any kind of major disagreement between the United States and Israel,” Freeman said.
He added that while Trump and Netanyahu may differ on strategy and timing, they remain aligned on broader regional objectives, particularly regarding Iran and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.
The talks are also expected to explore the possibility of reducing Israel’s military presence in parts of the region, including Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.
Netanyahu’s visit comes months before Israel’s national elections, where he is expected to seek another term amid polls showing declining public support following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the Gaza war.
Source: AFP.
