In what a senior diplomatic source characterized as a watershed moment in US-Israel relations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded an extensive five-hour White House meeting that sources say exceeded all expectations and carried "profound implications for Israel's future."
The prime minister's visit to the White House, which took place Tuesday night, lasted five hours, beginning with President Trump personally greeting Netanyahu at the White House entrance. The two leaders proceeded to the Roosevelt Room, where the prime minister signed the guest book in the presence of both delegations. Netanyahu presented President Trump with both a gold-plated and standard pager as gifts, to which Trump responded, "That was a tremendous operation," referring to the sophisticated Israeli attack on Hezbollah in September, which included thousands of exploding pagers killing many of the terrorist group's operatives.
Moving to the Oval Office, they delivered statements and fielded press questions before engaging in comprehensive discussions on pressing matters. The American delegation included Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined via secure telephone line.
The Israeli delegation comprised Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, National Security Council Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, Chief of Staff Tzachi Braverman, and Netanyahu's military secretary, Major General Roman Gofman.
Following these discussions, the prime minister and the president held a private one-on-one conversation. According to the diplomatic source, "The president sent warm regards to the prime minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu, and their son Yair, recalling how impressed he was with them during dinner at Mar-a-Lago, and particularly noting Mrs. Netanyahu's influence regarding the urgency of securing the hostages' release."
The meeting concluded with a press conference, after which Trump gave Netanyahu a personal tour of the White House's second floor, including the Lincoln Bedroom. They proceeded to a two-hour dinner, characterized by its warm, friendly, and relaxed atmosphere. The president presented the prime minister with an inscribed and signed photograph of them together, reading: "To Bibi, a great leader."
The diplomatic source emphasized that "the relationship between Netanyahu and Trump has never been stronger or closer. Those hoping to see rifts between the US and Israel were sorely disappointed. Trump proposed brilliant solutions to challenges that have confronted Israel since its establishment. The prime minister thanked President Trump for releasing weapons that were previously withheld while Israel fought on seven fronts, as well as for his unwavering support of Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu."
The source added: "President Trump spoke out against the Deep State in Israel and criticized the absurdity of requiring the prime minister to attend court proceedings three times weekly while managing a war that is reshaping the Middle East. It's now universally understood that attempting to topple a right-wing government during Trump's presidency represents national irresponsibility and severely damages the right-wing camp. We have nearly two years to achieve historic changes, and we must not squander this opportunity."
