Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with President Donald Trump on Friday evening, congratulating him on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Netanyahu said the United States is 'a guarantor of world freedom' and that Israel deeply values the close bond between the nations. The two leaders agreed to meet soon in the United States, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday evening, July 3, in a call marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The call was first reported by N12's Amit Segal at 19:29 Jerusalem, followed by The Zioneer's initial report at 19:32. The Prime Minister's Office issued an unusual Friday evening statement at 19:47, confirming that Netanyahu told Trump the United States is "a guarantor of world freedom" and that Israel deeply values the close bond between the nations. The two leaders agreed to meet soon in the United States.
The thread shows a rapid sequence of confirmation. The initial report from Segal at 19:29 stated that Netanyahu and Trump had spoken and agreed to meet in Washington. The Zioneer's report at 19:32 provided a preliminary readout based on Segal's report. The full PMO statement at 19:47 added the specific framing of the U.S. as a guarantor of freedom and the congratulatory message for the 250th anniversary. This pattern of Friday evening diplomacy is consistent with previous engagements between the two leaders.
The call comes amid an intensive diplomatic stretch involving the U.S., Iran, and Israel. As The Zioneer reported on June 12, a senior U.S. official told Israeli journalist Barak Ravid that the U.S. is in direct dialogue with Netanyahu and that Trump spoke with him earlier in June. On June 14, Ravid reported that Trump was expected to spend "many hours" with Netanyahu. Additionally, on June 15, Netanyahu told Channel 14 that he stands up for Israel's interests. Earlier on Friday, President Isaac Herzog's office released a photo of his visit to the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, where he delivered a letter to Trump for the 250th anniversary, as The Zioneer reported at 13:12.
The specific date and location of the planned meeting have not been announced. The PMO statement did not provide details on the agenda, including discussions on Iran or regional security. The Zioneer will continue to monitor for further updates.
5 developments
- StrongNetanyahu: Trump is US president, I am Israel's PM — I stand up for our interests
- StrongSenior US official: We're talking to Netanyahu; Trump spoke with him yesterday
- DevelopingNetanyahu convenes security cabinet to discuss preserving Israeli operational freedom amid US-Iran deal talks
- DevelopingNetanyahu: We are building new alliances and ensuring our arms independence
Source and signal
- Internal intake