Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, marking their first face-to-face talks since the conflict involving Iran began.
The meeting comes at a delicate moment. Differences have surfaced in public. Both leaders, however, have insisted their alliance remains strong.
Iran Tops Agenda
Iran is expected to dominate the discussions. The conflict began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year. Washington has since pushed for negotiations.
Israel has stayed out of the latest fighting between the United States and Iran following the collapse of an April ceasefire. Before leaving Israel, Netanyahu said security would remain his top priority.
“We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran,” he said. “Our goal is to safeguard our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us.”
Strains Were Seen
Tensions have been seen between the two leaders in recent months. During ceasefire negotiations in April, Trump openly criticised Netanyahu. He later described the Israeli leader as “a very difficult guy” in an interview.
Netanyahu dismissed the disagreements. He described them as “tactical disagreements” and said both governments shared the same overall objectives.
Tuesday’s meeting will be the eighth between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office.
Regional Issues Await
Several regional issues are expected to be discussed. Attention is likely to be given to the US-backed agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon last month.
Its implementation has faced challenges on the ground. Gaza is also expected to feature in the talks. Diplomatic efforts to rebuild the territory have slowed.
The humanitarian situation remains severe after years of conflict. Israel says its military operations continue to target militants.
Alliance Under Focus
Some analysts believe the visit is intended to reinforce the relationship between Washington and Jerusalem. Yonatan Freeman, an international relations expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said the meeting would send a message beyond the two countries.
“I think that the main issue… is to show the world, to show Iran, and also even Lebanon and others… that there is no break or any kind of major disagreement between the United States and Israel,” he told AFP.
He added that differences between Trump and Netanyahu were mainly about strategy rather than shared goals.
Political Stakes Rise
The visit also comes as domestic political pressure grows in Israel. National elections are expected in the coming months. Recent opinion polls have suggested Netanyahu faces a difficult campaign.
Public criticism has continued over his government’s handling of the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza.
Even so, the White House meeting is expected to underline the strategic partnership between Israel and the United States as regional tensions continue.
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