Netanyahu Embarks on Key Visit to Washington for Historic Talks with President Trump

Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a statement Saturday, 2 February 2025 before he took off for an official visit to Washington, where he was set to meet with United States President Donald Trump.

He said:

“I’m leaving for a very important meeting with President Trump in Washington.

The fact that this will be President Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since his inauguration shows something significant.

I think it shows the strength of the Israeli-American alliance. It also reflects the strength of our personal friendship.

That friendship and cooperation have already produced important results for Israel and the Middle East, including the historic Abraham Accords, which President Trump led and which resulted in four peace treaties between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

In this meeting, we will address important issues, critical issues facing Israel and our region: Victory over Hamas, achieving the release of all our hostages, and dealing with the Iranian terror axis in all its components – an axis that threatens the peace of Israel, the Middle East, and the entire world.

The decisions we made in the war have already changed the face of the Middle East. Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have redrawn the map. But I believe that by working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even further and for the better.

I believe that we can strengthen security, broaden the circle of peace, and usher in a remarkable era of peace through strength.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu also announced that he would remain in Washington until Saturday night due to “many requests for meetings from US officials.” He was initially slated to return to Israel on Thursday.