Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will discuss the situation in Iran, the International Criminal Court (ICC), regional security and other pressing issues with United States President Donald Trump during an official visit to Washington this week.
Netanyahu is scheduled to depart for Washington on Monday and meet Trump at the White House on Tuesday following an invitation from the US president, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
Speaking at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said the discussions would cover all issues currently on the agenda, with particular attention to Iran and broader regional developments.
The visit will also include Netanyahu’s attendance at the funeral of late US Senator Lindsey Graham, whom he described as “one of Israel’s greatest friends since the state’s establishment.”
“It is fitting that we pay him this honour,” Netanyahu said.
The meeting comes amid continued regional tensions and diplomatic efforts surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. Netanyahu has repeatedly maintained that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons while expressing support for Trump’s strategy of combining negotiations with pressure.
Netanyahu also disclosed that he spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday night. According to the Israeli leader, Rubio assured him that the United States intends to take action against the International Criminal Court, which Netanyahu accused of threatening the sovereignty of democratic nations.
The Israeli prime minister criticised the ICC over the arrest warrants issued against him and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, describing the court as an institution seeking to undermine the right of sovereign states to defend themselves.
He also renewed his criticism of former ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, alleging that the warrants were politically motivated and intended to shield the prosecutor from scrutiny while rallying opposition against Israel.
On the security situation in the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu said Israeli forces had been instructed to enter villages, conduct searches, seize weapons and arrest suspects following a deadly clash on Friday.
He added that Israel is prepared to expand its operations against what he described as terrorist strongholds if necessary.
The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is expected to focus on shared strategic interests, including security cooperation, Iran, stability in the Middle East and bilateral relations between Israel and the United States.
(The Whistler)