Netanyahu arrived in the USA on Sunday evening and was welcomed with a red carpet. He will meet with Trump and other American officials on Monday, starting at 13 local time (19 Swedish time), reports Israeli media.
The talks are expected to focus on Trump's new tariffs on the rest of the world, in Israel's case 17 percent, but also on Israel's war in Gaza and the increased tensions with archenemy Iran. According to Israeli Haaretz, much of the focus is expected to be on the hostages in Gaza and Israel's attempts to get Hamas to accept a partial ceasefire – instead of a more permanent solution, which the terrorist-stamped extremist movement is striving for.
"Special relationship"
Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to meet Trump in Washington since the tariff shock on Wednesday.
I believe it reflects the special personal relationship and the unique bond between the USA and Israel, which is crucial right now, said Netanyahu before leaving Hungary for the USA on Sunday.
The Israeli Prime Minister is expected to try to negotiate an exemption regarding the tariffs, or at least a reduced percentage rate. Already on Sunday, he met with Trade Minister Howard Lutnick and Trump's trade representative Jamieson Greer in a "warm and productive meeting", according to Netanyahu's office.
Presented Gaza plan
Netanyahu took a longer route than necessary from Budapest to Washington, writes The Times of Israel. The delegation is said to have avoided flying over countries that are assumed to be willing to comply with the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Netanyahu, who is wanted for war crimes in Gaza, in case the plane would be forced to land due to an emergency.
During Netanyahu's previous visit to the White House, in February, Trump presented his widely criticized proposal to "take over" the Gaza Strip and turn it into "the Middle East's Riviera".
Experts and other world leaders have stated that the plan violates most of the most basic principles of international law.
