Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the United States on Sunday to meet the US President Donald TrumpHe looks forward to strengthening relations with the US government after tensions with the Biden administration over the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu left for Washington amid the ceasefire with Hamas – which includes hostages – is still valid and negotiations for the second stage expected to start this week. He will be the first foreign leader to visit Trump since his inauguration on January 20.
“This will be his first meeting with a foreign country leader because his inauguration is of great importance in the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Hamas launches 3 other hostages, including the American citizen, as part of a fragile ceasefire deal
President Donald Trump (L) is walking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (PBUH) as they take a photo during their meeting in Mar Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, on July 26, 2024. (Amos Ben Geershom (GPO) / Anadolu Bulletin via Getty Images)
“First of all, it refers to the strength of the coalition between Israel and the United States. Second, it also reflects the strength of our relationship; a communication that has already resulted in great things for the State of Israel and the region, as well as it has the historical peace agreements between Israel and four Arab countries -“ Abraham’s agreements ”that President Trump led her, “the Prime Minister continued.
This comes nearly 16 months after the start of the war in Gaza, motivated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, an attack against Israel, which led to military revenge against Israeli forces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem on December 9, 2024. (Maya Alleruzzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
“The decisions we made during the war, along with the courage of our soldiers in the Israeli Defense Army, have already changed the face of the Middle East,” Netanyahu said. “They changed the matter beyond confession. I think it is with hard work alongside President Trump, we can change it more for the better.”
“Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have re -drawn the map. But I believe that work closely with President Trump, we can redraw them further, for the better,” he added.
Netanyahu and the former American president Joe Biden Experienced tension in their relationship during the recent administration in Washington, and the Israeli Prime Minister has not visited the White House since his return to office at the end of 2022.
President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his property, Mar Lago, on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Netanyahu said: “We can enhance Israel's security, and we can expand the circle of peace further, and we can achieve a wonderful era that we have never dreamed of. A era of prosperity, security and peace from the position of power.” “The power of our soldiers, the strength of our citizens, the power of Israel, and the force of the coalition between Israel and the United States.”
Fox News contributed, “Yael Rotim Corel and Reuters contributed to this report.
