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President Donald Trump will welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House Tuesday for talks that could shape the next phase of the U.S. standoff with Iran.
A political shadow is cast over the visit, however, amid renewed calls from the far-left to arrest the Israeli leader.
“Every meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump has carried drama and historic weight, but this one comes as the Middle East stands at a genuine crossroads,” Shurat HaDin Law Center President Nitsana Darshan-Leitner told Fox News Digital of the upcoming sit-down.
“The decisions made by these two leaders in Washington will have far-reaching repercussions and will determine not only the next chapter in confronting Iran, but whether the region moves toward lasting stability or slips back into dangerous and chaotic escalation,” added Darshan-Leitner.
NETANYAHU TO VISIT TRUMP AT WHITE HOUSE, ATTEND ‘DEAR FRIEND’ LINDSEY GRAHAM’S MEMORIAL SERVICE
Netanyahu is in Washington, D.C. to attend the funeral service of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., whom he has called a dear friend not just to Israel, but to himself. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also in D.C. for the funeral of the late senator and is using the opportunity to meet with Trump.
The high-stakes talks between the world leaders come as Israel continues to press for a tougher Iran strategy, while Trump is weighing whether to resume major strikes against Iran.
“He’s been a great wartime prime minister,” Trump told reporters Wednesday, speaking of Netanyahu. “We worked with each other very closely. And we went through a very big thing. We did a big thing together.”
The Israeli leader’s visit has stirred controversy over Israel’s handling of Gaza as well as its approach to Iran.
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called on the federal government to carry out the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant ahead of a possible Netanyahu visit to the Big Apple for the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio defended Mamdani’s call to have Netanyahu arrested, stating the Israeli leader is “fomenting hate.”
The relationship between longtime allies Trump and Netanyahu — who is often referred to as Bibi — appeared to face a rare rift over their differing views in the two countries’ handling of the conflict with Iran.
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Trump admitted that he called Netanyahu “f—ing crazy” in a heated phone call over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon.
“So many in the media attempt to portray deep rifts between the President and the Prime Minister while they need to project unity and strength,” Darshan-Leitner explained to Fox News Digital. “History will likely remember this meeting not simply for what was discussed behind closed doors, but for the course it set for the region—and perhaps the world—for years to come.”
Netanyahu is expected to present Trump with intelligence in their meeting on Tuesday alleging Iran is expanding activity at its Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site and is not negotiating in good faith over its nuclear program, according to reports, according to the New York Post, citing a source in Jerusalem.
Trump delayed planned U.S. military strikes against Iran for several days while emphasizing that the United States remains prepared to launch a “massive attack,” if necessary.
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Trump said Monday Washington is engaged in “good talks” with Iran, but warned that if negotiations fail, the U.S. would resume military action.
“From the future of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, to the security of U.S. bases, to the ownership of the Strait of Hormuz and the freedom of global maritime commerce, the stakes extend far beyond Israel’s borders,” said Darshan-Leitner. “This is one of the rare moments when diplomacy and deterrence must move in lockstep.”
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