What To Know About Trump’s Meeting With Netanyahu

Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be with the first world leader to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House during his second term.

The meeting is a clear sign that Trump and Netanyahu’s warm relationship will continue amid Trump’s return to power and Israel’s ongoing, multi-front war. Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu is a contrast to his strained relationship with that of his predecessors, former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Upon taking office, Trump reversed the Biden administration’s hold on the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.

Before departing for the United States, Netanyahu called Trump’s invitation “a testimony to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance” and a “testimony to the strength of our personal friendship.”

“I’m leaving for a very important meeting with President Trump in Washington,” the leader of the Jewish state told reporters. “The fact that this would be President Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since his inauguration is telling.”

He also emphasized the importance of the meeting, and outlined the issues to discuss, including defeating Hamas, releasing all hostages, and dealing with Iran and its proxies.

I’m leaving for a very important meeting with @realDonaldTrump in Washington.

The fact that this would be President Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since his inauguration is telling.

I think it’s a testimony to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance. It’s… pic.twitter.com/wWYrC7mYrF

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) February 2, 2025

Netanyahu’s visit comes as Trump helped to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. So far, 13 of the 33 hostages slated to be released under the first phase of the deal have been freed, including American citizen Keith Siegel. Seven more Americans are still held hostage. An additional five Thai hostages were released under a separate agreement.

Netanyahu has faced immense pressure from the right-leaning Israelis over the deal, which has resulted in the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those who are serving life sentences for helping with deadly terror attacks.

On Monday, Trump told reporters that he has “no guarantees that the peace is going to hold.”

Israel is preparing to send a team to Doha, Qatar, to negotiate the second phase of the deal, which could determine the fate of the remaining 59 hostages who were not included in the first phase.

In Trump’s invitation, he said he was “looking forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbors, and efforts to counter our shared adversaries.”

“It will be my honor to host you as my first foreign leader during my second term,” Trump added.

Then-British Prime Minister Theresa May was the first to visit Trump at the White House during his first term.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, also pointed out the importance of Netanyahu being the first leader invited.

“The fact that President Trump chose to invite the Prime Minister of Israel before any other world leaders speaks for itself,” Danon tweeted. “The topics on the agenda are highly significant for Israel’s future and the stability of the region.”

Last night, Netanyahu met with Trump’s nominee for Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, and Evangelical leaders including Pastor John Hagee.

A week after Netanyahu’s visit, Jordan’s King Abdullah will meet with Trump at the White House. The meeting comes amid Trump’s repeated calls for Jordan and Egypt to take in refugees from Gaza, which he has described as a “demolition site.”

“King Abdullah II will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, after His Majesty received an invitation letter from President Trump last week,” the Jordanian palace said in a statement.

Trump has said that he believes Arab nations should step up to help build new lives for the refugees who have been living through 15 months of war.

“You’re talking about a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing,” Trump said. “I don’t know, something has to happen, but it’s literally a demolition site right now. Almost everything’s demolished and people are dying there, so I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing in a different location where I think they could maybe live in peace for a change.”

Leaders of both Jordan and Egypt have rejected any such proposal.