Netanyahu to Meet Trump at White House Amid Rising Tensions Over Gaza, ICC, and Iran

Hadisur Rahman, Jadetimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Leah Millis

In a high profile diplomatic development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Washington, DC, for a meeting with former US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, according to US media reports citing unnamed officials. The meeting marks a significant moment in US-Israel relations as both leaders seek to address pressing geopolitical concerns, trade disputes, and mounting international pressure over the war in Gaza.

Key Topics on the Agenda

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the meeting will cover a broad range of issues, including:

• The Iranian threat and nuclear negotiations

• Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, including ceasefire efforts

• Israel-Turkiye relations amid recent diplomatic tensions

• Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” policy, affecting Israeli imports

• The fight against the International Criminal Court (ICC)

  
  

The talks follow a phone call on Thursday during which Netanyahu raised concerns over the 17 percent tariff Israel faces under Trump’s tariff strategy. In a reciprocal move, Israel recently eliminated its remaining tariffs on US imports. Notably, the two countries have a decades old Free Trade Agreement, with approximately 98% of American goods entering Israel duty-free.

A Defiant Visit Amid ICC Charges

Netanyahu’s upcoming trip comes while he is under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza. Despite this, he continues to travel internationally. On his current trip to Hungary his first European visit since 2023 he was welcomed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, shortly after Hungary controversially withdrew from the ICC.

The United States, notably, is not a member of the ICC and has historically opposed its jurisdiction over Israeli or American nationals.

Gaza Conflict: Ceasefire, Captives, and Renewed Violence

Also expected to dominate the meeting is the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel resumed its military operations last month after a brief ceasefire collapsed, reigniting the war with Hamas and further escalating regional instability.

Negotiations for a new truce and the release of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian factions remain stalled. The White House meeting could serve as a platform for renewed discussions on achieving a durable ceasefire and potential mediation pathways.

Iran and Nuclear Diplomacy

The Trump-Netanyahu dialogue will also focus on Iran, as efforts continue to revive diplomatic engagement over its nuclear program. Trump has expressed interest in pushing Tehran toward a new agreement, although past talks fell apart following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal during his presidency.

Iran has signaled its willingness to engage in indirect talks but insists its nuclear activities are strictly civilian, rejecting Western claims of weaponization.

A High Stakes Encounter with Global Implications

As Netanyahu prepares to meet Trump, the stakes couldn’t be higher. From war crimes allegations to international sanctions and nuclear diplomacy, the issues at play span far beyond bilateral ties. With the Middle East on edge and international institutions closely watching, the outcomes of this meeting could significantly shape the geopolitical landscape in the months ahead.