Trump to host Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago when Israeli leader comes to US

Former President Donald Trump will host Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago Friday, he announced on Truth Social. The meeting was previously scheduled for Wednesday.

Trump is hosting Netanyahu after he addresses Congress on Wednesday and meets with President Joe Biden the day after.

Vice President Kamala Harris and other notable members of Congress, such as President Pro Tempore Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Trump’s running mate Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), will not attend the Israeli prime minister’s anticipated address.

The world leader’s visit will highlight partisan divides in the Senate between lawmakers who have been supportive of Israel and those who are more skeptical. Netanyahu is expected to attempt to rehabilitate his image as “the protector of Israel” and as the Israeli politician with the most power and influence in the United States.

Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu illustrates a willingness from the Israeli leader to hedge his bets on the November election in case the former president is elected back into office. He visited Washington in September 2020 while Trump was president at the time.

In Trump’s previous Truth Social post before he announced the rescheduling of their meeting, he blasted Harris and spoke of his efforts in the Middle East.

“During my first term, we had Peace and Stability in the Region, even signing the historic Abraham Accords — And we will have it again,” Trump said. “Just as I have said in discussions with President Zelensky and other World Leaders in recent weeks, my PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH Agenda will demonstrate to the World that these horrible, deadly Wars, and violent Conflicts must end. Millions are dying, and Kamala Harris is in no way capable of stopping it.”

It’s important to note that Trump’s invitation to Netanyahu came before a date was set for Biden to meet with the Israeli prime minister, and Harris is expected to meet him this week.

Harris’s meeting will involve her wish to “continue her intensive engagement on the conflict in Gaza,” an aide told CNN, noting that she is expected to underscore a commitment to ensuring Israel can defend itself, condemn Hamas’s attack on Oct. 7, and reiterate concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Trump campaign referred the Washington Examiner to Trump’s Truth Social post when asked for additional comment.

There has been some concern that protesters may interrupt Netanyahu’s address, but House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) wrote in a letter that “the Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police will remove the offending visitor(s) from the gallery and subject them to arrest.”

Several Democrats have heavily criticized Netanyahu for his nation’s handling of the war against Hamas, with thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) will be among the lawmakers who will not be present for his address.