“Prime Minister Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House during President Trump’s second term,” the statement said.”
US President Donald Trump has invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a meeting at the White House on February 4, the Israeli premier’s office announced on Tuesday.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House during US President Trump’s second term,” according to the announcement.
A White House official said that the Israeli prime minister has received an invitation to meet at the White House “early next week”.
Details on the day and time will be provided after they have been finalized,” the source added.
The Trump-Netanyahu meeting comes after the US president repeatedly claimed credit for achieving a continuing truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, following months of failed negotiations.
Following the ceasefire, Trump announced a plan to “clean out” the Gaza Strip, urging Palestinians to relocate to neighboring nations such as Egypt or Jordan.
The concept has sparked strong opposition from Egypt and Jordan, as well as European nations.
During his first administration, Trump regularly stated that Israel “never had a better friend in the White House,” a stance shared by Netanyahu.
However, the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu strained briefly when the Israeli leader congratulated Joe Biden on his 2020 election victory.
According to various media accounts, Trump falsely claimed to have won the 2020 election and accused Netanyahu of treason.
Nonetheless, shortly after assuming office for his second term, Trump reportedly approved the shipping of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, which the Biden administration had previously suspended.
Netanyahu commended Trump for giving Israel the “tools” to defend itself.
