Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to the White House on Monday on a state visit with President Donald Trump, where both leaders were set to use the high-stakes dinner to discuss global security issues ranging to the Israel-Hamas conflict, to the Iran nuclear ambitions, and overall stability in the Middle East.
It is the third visit Netanyahu has made to Washington since Trump returned to power earlier this year, and it is in an exceedingly dramatic context: a clock-ticking deadline on tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, an escalating confrontation with Tehran, and the opportunity of a breakthrough ceasefire deal with Hamas.
That gathering also signifies a new orientation of the U.S. and Israel under Trump, which Netanyahu has gladly adopted publicly.
Netanyahu said on his flight to Washington late Sunday, we have never had such a friend in the White House. Our combined action heralded a tremendous triumph over our common scourge – Iran.
Ceasefire in the Table
The focal point of the visit as per the office of the Israeli Prime Minister will involve negotiations that may bring about a cease fire between Hamas in Gaza and the Israeli Government.
Trump has been keen to strike a deal and he has been seen to play the role of a dealmaker once more at the international scene.
A White House official told ABC News, we are optimistic. The desire to end the violence and provide room to conduct long-term negotiations is without doubt what President Trump would like to see happen.
Although no deal is yet signed, the administration of Trump has been cajoling two major regional actors, Egypt and Qatar, which have influence on Hamas, to seek compromise. The U.S. is also said to be willing to lead rebuilding in Gaza as a condition of any truce.
Rubio, Witkoff visit blair house to meet Netanyahu
Before the evening meal, Netanyahu convened with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff at Blair House the customary site of meetings with visiting heads of state.
According to reports, the three leaders also talked about more than the ceasefire, discussing a range of issues, including; Iranian influence in the country of Syria, most recent U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iranian installations in the region, and the overall cooperation in intelligence issues.
Although negotiations were conducted behind closed doors, it has been said that Netanyahu would lobby to have the U.S continue to take part in maintaining security in the region.
Rubio later said to journalists, Israel security is American security. We are shoulder to shoulder with our allies.”
Message in Dinner
The White House state dinner on Monday evening was a political display of solidarity as well as a celebration.
Through the pictures taken, Trump was seen shaking hands with Netanyahu and smiling with cabinet members and senior aides and a few congressional supporters.
However, behind the pomp there were still serious issues. Netanyahu would likely be critical of Iranian nuclear program, particularly following threats by the Tehran to restart uranium enrichment to pre-levels since the initial nuclear agreement in 2015.
There are reports that Trump has been considering sanctions and military options in case diplomacy fails to bear fruits.
Witkoff said that, Iran is a direct threat to the region not only to Israel but peace in the region. And we will ensure that that threat is dealt with — one way or another.
Trade Tensions Smolder in the Background
Although Monday was dominated by foreign policy, the Trump administration had been in overdrive as it continued to deal with its upcoming tariff deadline, which would be on Wednesday, July 9. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent A number of nations would be receiving official trade notices today, he confirmed.
Bessent was on CNBC on the program Squawk Box and said, “It is going to be a busy couple of days.” The President is also not concentrated on the amount of deals but the quality of deals.”
Trump has hinted that countries that do not seal trade agreements by the deadline may have to pay increased tariffs as early as August 1 — those countries that are deemed to be in line with anti-American policies or the BRICS group.
Despite the fact that trade was not the main topic of Netanyahu visit, what was observed is the fact that Israel is not affected by the tariff threats because there is an agreement that exists between the two countries and the close defense ties.
Policy Push and Congressional Meetings
Netanyahu has committed to visit Washington in secret meetings with several American legislators, including the House and Senate GOP leaders. His agenda: strengthen bipartisan support of Israel, increases in defense funding, continuing U.S. assurance in the United Nations.
Pro-Israel lobbying organizations are meanwhile taking advantage of the visit to lobby new legislation isolating Iran further and increased U.S.-Israel collaboration in the domains of cyber security, missile defense, and artificial intelligence.
Common Objectives, Common People
This is not only a policy visit but a personality visit. Both Trump and Netanyahu have always admired each other and they have both adopted a hawkish stance about national security. They are both known to have hit the headlines with their outspoken rhetoric, intricate legal backgrounds and staunch domestic political coalitions.
The new alliance is a clear message, the Trump-Netanyahu axis has returned and is full steam ahead in areas such as trade and terrorism.
This is not merely a diplomatic issue, as Netanyahu explained. It is about two countries that know what it means to defend themselves to survive and to succeed.
What is the Next Step?
As the ceasefire agreement remains in negotiation and Iran is flexing its muscles, the next few days will shape the Trump foreign policy storyline in this second term.
Analysts also opine that by playing a role brokering peace in Gaza, Trump will enhance his stature on the global scene, more so as other hotspots such as in Ukraine and the Pacific keep simmering.
It is Washington, however, whose focus is all the rage at the moment: where a fancy dinner is but a veil to the naked truth of geopolitics, and where two of the most divisive figures in recent memory are laying the international agenda once more, this time in concert.
