Trump invites Netanyahu to the White House

Netanyahu reveals that Trump has invited him to the White House later this month, the fourth time this year that the Israeli leader meets with the US president in Washington.

By World Israel News Staff

President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with him in the White House later this month, Netanyahu said on Tuesday.

Netanyahu mentioned the invitation during a press conference in Jerusalem during which he touted Israel’s economic growth despite the ongoing wars with Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and the Houthis. It was a day after he drew fire for comments suggesting Israel would be forced to reduce its imports amid growing pressure from abroad.

The meeting with Trump, Netanyahu said, is slated to take place on September 29, at the end of High-Level Week at the United Nations General Assembly.

Netanyahu is expected to travel to New York City next week for the UNGA’s High Level Week, with the Israeli leader scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 26.

Trump extended the invitation during a phone call with Netanyahu on Monday, Netanyahu said.

The Israeli premier downplayed his disagreement with Trump over last week’s ballistic missile strike on a gathering of senior Hamas leaders in Doha, noting that he has spoken with Trump on multiple occasions since the strike and that each conversation was “good.”

Thus far, Netanyahu has met with Trump at the White House three times since the president returned to office on January 20, including meetings in February, April, and July.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem earlier this week, before departing for Qatar.

Rubio, avoiding direct criticism of Israel’s Doha strike, emphasized the Trump administration’s demand that Hamas disarm and release all remaining Israeli hostages, while avoiding direct criticism of Israel’s Doha strike.