Netanyahu Cancels Washington Trip Amid Tensions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled his planned visit to Washington D.C. next week, his office announced on Thursday, July 16, 2026. The official statement cited the postponement of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham's funeral as the reason for the cancellation.

Netanyahu was reportedly scheduled to depart for Washington on Saturday, July 18, with plans to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, July 20, and attend Graham's funeral on Tuesday, July 21. However, U.S. news outlet Axios, citing a senior White House official, reported earlier that no meeting between Trump and Netanyahu was on the president's schedule for the upcoming week.

The cancellation comes at a time of strained relations between the U.S. and Israel, particularly concerning regional policies. Trump has urged Israel to withdraw troops from Lebanon and Syria, a stance Netanyahu opposes. Axios also reported that Trump was angered by Netanyahu's perceived attempts to control or disregard him. White House staff were reportedly surprised to read Israeli media reports about an upcoming meeting between Trump and Netanyahu, as no such meeting was officially scheduled. One White House official told Axios that Trump was "very angry" after Netanyahu appeared on Fox News and criticized Trump's intention to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, shortly before Trump's departure for Ankara.