According to a report, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to arrive in the United States for a three-day visit this coming week, including a meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday and attendance at the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham on Tuesday. The report contradicts an earlier statement by a White House official that no meeting is scheduled.
A new unconfirmed report this evening claims that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to fly to the United States on Sunday for a three-day visit, meet President Donald Trump on Monday, and attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham on Tuesday. The report contradicts the White House's earlier denial that no meeting is scheduled, and adds a concrete itinerary after days of speculation.
The Zioneer has been tracking this story since Sunday Jul 12, when multiple reports emerged of advanced contacts for a visit. At 12:02 Jerusalem that day, Israeli sources said a meeting with Trump was set for Monday, but no official confirmation. Later that day, a White House official told Barak Ravid that no meeting was scheduled. On Tuesday Jul 14 at 22:36 Jerusalem, Israeli sources reported that Netanyahu was expected to depart on Saturday night, but a meeting had not yet been set. The new report this evening is the first to include a full schedule and contradicts the White House denial.
Background: Trump said on Jun 17 that both Netanyahu and the Lebanese president would visit the US soon. The Zioneer reported on Jul 4 that the leaders had agreed to a White House meeting amid Iran tensions. The current report does not clarify if the meeting was newly arranged or if the earlier denial was based on outdated information.
The report remains unconfirmed by any additional source. Neither the Prime Minister's Office nor the White House has commented. The discrepancy between the White House denial and this report leaves the schedule uncertain.
20 developments
- DevelopingNetanyahu expected to depart for US next week for Trump meeting, PM's circle assesses
- DevelopingIsraeli officials doubt Trump-Netanyahu meeting will happen next week
- DevelopingSatirical post claims Netanyahu and wife en route to Khamenei's funeral
- StrongReport: Netanyahu seeks meeting with Trump in Washington after Europe trip
Source and signal
- Internal intake
