Towards a White House visit: Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Washington

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in Washington, USA. He departed Israel earlier today, Monday, for a lightning visit that includes a meeting with US President Donald Trump and attendance at the memorial service for the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The White House meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time (6:00 PM in Israel) and is currently closed to the media.

Netanyahu's departure was conducted under strict secrecy. The Prime Minister's Office did not release departure times or locations in advance, and the "Knaf Zion" aircraft took off from the Nevatim base rather than Ben Gurion Airport. Reports indicate the decision was based on security concerns regarding potential Iranian threats. Netanyahu is accompanied by his wife, Sara, and an official delegation; no Israeli journalists are on board, and the full itinerary remains unpublished.

"I am on my way to Washington for a meeting with our friend, President Donald Trump," Netanyahu said before takeoff. "This is my eighth meeting with him since he was elected to his second term—more than any other international leader. It is a great privilege and a great responsibility."

The Prime Minister added: "In my experience as Prime Minister, one must act in these complex times with both great determination and wisdom. We will discuss all issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran. Our goal is to maintain our security and expand the circle of peace around us."

Iran is expected to be the central topic of their first meeting since February 11. Netanyahu intends to present Trump with updated intelligence on Iranian restoration efforts, including accelerated work at the underground "Har HaMachosh" (Spell Mountain) site near Natanz. Israeli intelligence estimates that thousands of uranium enrichment centrifuges have been moved into tunnels within the mountain, along with a portion of the high-enriched uranium stockpile. Iran denies nuclear activity at the site, which has not been inspected by the IAEA.

Israel has defined the removal of enriched uranium as a red line, alongside the demand to maintain IDF freedom of action against threats from the Iranian "axis of resistance."

The meeting follows President Trump's decision to pause recent American strikes to allow for further negotiations. Trump stated yesterday that US and Israeli positions on Iran are "quite close," but warned that if talks with Tehran fail, the US will return to "very strong military action."

Other topics include the implementation of the Trump plan in Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, the future of IDF deployment, demands for Israeli withdrawals in Lebanon and Syria, and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The leaders are also expected to discuss a civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, the expansion of the Abraham Accords, and Israel's opposition to the sale of F-35 aircraft to Turkey.

Following the meeting, Netanyahu will attend the memorial service for Senator Graham at 2:00 PM Eastern Time (9:00 PM in Israel) at the National Cathedral in Washington. President Trump is expected to speak, and the ceremony will also be attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and opposition leader Yair Lapid.

"I am going on this mission with one clear goal: to ensure the security, strength, and future of our dear State of Israel," Netanyahu said. "I am also going to pay final respects to our friend, a true friend of mine and of the State of Israel—Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest friends of the State of Israel of all time."

Demonstration against Netanyahu planned for tomorrow

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