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Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss the ongoing Iran war, despite past public disagreements.
- The meeting aims to present a united front to Iran and other regional actors, dispelling rumors of strained relations between the two leaders.
- Discussions will also cover a U.S.-sponsored framework deal with Lebanon and the stalled reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, aiming to project unity despite past public disagreements over the Iran war. The meeting, their first in-person talks since the conflict began, is expected to focus on the war, which started with U.S.-Israeli strikes in late February.
This is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility. We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran. Naturally, our goal is to safeguard our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us.
Relations between Netanyahu and Trump have shown occasional strain, with Trump previously describing the Israeli leader as "a very difficult guy." However, both leaders have worked to downplay these tensions. Netanyahu stated before departing Israel that the meeting was a "great privilege" and a "great responsibility," emphasizing their shared goal of safeguarding security and expanding peace.
Beyond the Iran war, the leaders are anticipated to discuss the implementation of a U.S.-sponsored framework deal with Lebanon, which has faced challenges. The dire humanitarian situation and stalled reconstruction efforts in Gaza are also on the agenda, with Israel continuing its military operations against what it calls militants.
I think that the main issue... is to show the world, to show Iran, and also even Lebanon and others as well specifically, that there is no break or any kind of major disagreement between the United States and Israel.
International relations expert Yonatan Freeman of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem believes the visit's primary goal is to counter reports of cooling ties. "The main issue... is to show the world, to show Iran, and also even Lebanon and others as well specifically, that there is no break or any kind of major disagreement between the United States and Israel," Freeman told AFP. He suggested that any differences between the leaders are tactical, concerning the means rather than the ultimate ends of the war, and that Trump would likely prioritize Iran and the expansion of the Abraham Accords over Gaza.
There's more in agreement between the two leaders than disagreement.
Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.