Netanyahu Emphasizes the Importance of Meeting Trump for Israel's Security and Standing

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has emphasized that his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington is of great importance for Israel's security and international standing. Netanyahu made these remarks on Sunday, February 12, during a meeting of Likud party ministers, which he leads, and subsequently at his weekly government meeting in Jerusalem. The White House has invited Netanyahu to meet with Trump on Wednesday, February 15, making him one of the first world leaders to visit the White House during Trump's presidency, following the Prime Ministers of Britain and Japan and the King of Jordan. Israeli media reported that ahead of Netanyahu's trip, a delegation of senior Israeli officials led by Yossi Cohen, head of the Mossad, has been in the U.S. in recent days to discuss the success of this week's negotiations between Israeli and American leaders. Netanyahu also stated on Sunday that he has held discussions with officials from Israel's intelligence agencies, National Security Council, and Foreign Ministry in anticipation of his meeting with the U.S. President. Ron Dermer, Israel's ambassador to the U.S., told Israeli media that high-ranking military officials and the Joint Chiefs of Staff also participated in recent discussions in Israel. According to Israeli media, alongside issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and settlements, the most important topics Netanyahu will discuss with Trump will be related to Iran. Recently, Netanyahu mentioned in a special message to Iranians that he would share his thoughts on the 'aggressive Iranian regime' with Trump. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu will propose actions through the Security Council to confront Iran's missile development program to the U.S. President. The Israeli Prime Minister will also raise the danger of the 'continued presence of Iranian forces in Syria' and emphasize that the presence of Iranian forces and Hezbollah in Syria must be ended. The focus on issues and 'dangers posed by Iran' comes at a time when verbal tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated in recent days. The U.S. President, National Security Advisor, and Defense Secretary have recently issued 'warnings' to the Iranian regime, with Trump himself stating that Iran must 'be careful.' At the same time, just before his meeting with Netanyahu, Trump stated in his first interview with an Israeli newspaper that the JCPOA, the 'terrible' nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, is 'a disaster for Israel.' Trump reminded the newspaper 'Israel Hayom' (which is supportive of Netanyahu) that 'the Iranian regime became more brazen even in the last days of Barack Obama in the White House.' In this first interview with an Israeli newspaper after taking power in the U.S., he also said, 'I have always liked Netanyahu.' The meeting between the Israeli Prime Minister and the U.S. President comes after eight years of tense and sometimes crisis-ridden relations between the two governments, marking the 'beginning of a new chapter in the alliance between the two countries.' Netanyahu had also met with Trump two months before the U.S. presidential election on November 9 in New York when Trump was the Republican nominee. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu stated on Sunday, February 12, 'Trump and I have known each other for many years, and this is the first time our meeting occurs while I am still Prime Minister and he has become President.' The White House, in a departure from the norm during Barack Obama's eight years in office, has invited Netanyahu and his delegation to stay at the White House guest residence at Blair House, whereas during Obama’s presidency, Netanyahu stayed in a hotel. Israeli media also reported that Melania Trump, the First Lady of the U.S., has arranged to meet and host Sara Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's wife. At the same time, Israeli media remind that the country's officials believe that Trump may not be able to fulfill his promise to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in the near future. Netanyahu himself stated on Sunday that Trump has not given Israel a 'blank check' for anything it wants to do regarding settlements, and 'no one should think that we have no limitations in this regard.' According to analysts in Israeli media, Netanyahu's 'sarcasm' was directed at statements made by Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked, two ministers from his coalition government, who recently urged Netanyahu to push for housing construction in his meeting with Trump and even to avoid using the term 'independent Palestinian state,' or else there would be a 'political earthquake.'