According to a report by Reuters on July 22, 2023, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has expressed interest in arranging a face-to-face meeting with former US President Donald Trump during his visit to the United States. This information comes from sources familiar with the outreach efforts.
The report indicates that representatives from both Netanyahu and Trump's teams have engaged in discussions over the past few days to explore the feasibility of such a meeting. However, as of the report's publication, Trump had not yet confirmed his participation.
Netanyahu, who began his current term as Prime Minister in December 2022, has a history of close relations with Trump. During Trump's presidency, several significant diplomatic events occurred, including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017 and the subsequent relocation of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018.
The potential meeting comes at a time when both leaders have faced their share of challenges. Netanyahu has been dealing with corruption charges since 2019, while Trump has been navigating his post-presidency period.
Their previous collaborations included the unveiling of Trump's "Deal of the Century" peace plan in January 2020, which aimed to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This history of cooperation underscores the significance of any potential meeting between the two figures.
As the longest-serving Prime Minister in Israel's history, Netanyahu's request for a meeting with the former US president could have implications for both domestic Israeli politics and international relations. The outcome of this proposed meeting, should it occur, may influence future diplomatic dynamics in the region.
"We have met in recent days to explore the idea of a meeting"
As of now, the ball remains in Trump's court regarding the decision to meet with the Israeli Prime Minister during his US visit. The international community will be watching closely for any developments in this potential high-profile encounter.