Netanyahu in Washington for High-Stakes Talks with Trump
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at Andrews Air Force Base on Sunday evening for his scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The two leaders are expected to address critical issues, including redrawing the Middle East, the second stage of the Gaza ceasefire, the future of the Gaza Strip, and Iranian nuclear program.
Just before Netanyahu departed for Washington on Sunday, Netanyahu expressed his belief that cooperation with the new administration could reshape the Middle East.
Netanyahu spoke to reporters on the tarmac in Israel in English, calling his status as the first foreign leader to meet Trump in the White House since the inauguration “a testimony to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance. It’s also a testimony to the strength of our personal friendship.” He expressed confidence that working with Trump could further reshape the Middle East, stating, “Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have redrawn the map. But I believe that working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even further, and for the better.”
Netanyahu appeared to reference Israel’s ties with Saudi Arabia, as Israel pushes for a negotiating team to discuss official relations with the Gulf state. The Kan public broadcaster reported that the Trump administration seeks to achieve peace between Jerusalem and Riyadh as part of the president’s vision for a “Golden age of peace in the Middle East.”
Before departing Israel, Netanyahu told reporters, “My meetings in the US capital will deal with important, critical issues facing Israel and the region — victory over Hamas, achieving the release of all our hostages, and dealing with the Iranian terror axis in all its components, an axis that threatens the peace of Israel, the Middle East, and the entire world.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump shared that talks with Israel are progressing, specifically mentioning upcoming discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “The discussions on the Middle East with Israel and various and sundry other countries are progressing. While Trump did not provide further details, his comments come as indirect talks between Israel and Hamas are set to resume, focusing on the second stage of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Trump also previewed his upcoming meeting with Netanyahu, adding, “Bibi Netanyahu’s coming on Tuesday, and I think we have some very big meetings scheduled.”
On Tuesday, Netanyahu and Trump will meet in the Oval Office as Iran moves closer to developing a nuclear weapon.
A recent report by Michael Singh of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy revealed that Iran’s breakout time — the period needed to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a bomb — has shrunk to a week or less by November 2024, down from 3.5 months in November 2020.
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