Trump Invites Netanyahu to White House

Israel’s prime minister’s office said on Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House in the “near future.” The announcement followed Trump’s comment that Israel should maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria.

If the visit happens, it would be Netanyahu’s fifth trip to the White House since Trump returned to office in January. The two leaders have presented a close relationship publicly, though officials in both countries have noted that Trump has at times shown frustration with Netanyahu.

According to the prime minister’s office, Netanyahu and Trump discussed disarming Hamas and demilitarising Gaza. In September, Trump introduced a plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in place since October.

TRUMP PUSHES ISRAEL-SYRIA DIALOGUE

Earlier, Trump stated that it was very important for Israel to maintain a “strong and true dialogue” with Syria, and that “nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous state.”

He added: “Syria and Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship together,” as his administration works to negotiate a non-aggression pact between the two countries.

Syria still does not formally recognise Israel, which has taken control of more Syrian territory since December 2024. Israel has also held the Golan Heights since 1967 and later annexed it—a move recognized by the U.S. but rejected by most other nations.

Trump has offered support for Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, while Israel has expressed concerns about his past associations with Islamist militancy and has urged Washington to keep Syria constrained.

Syrian state media reported that an Israeli strike in southern Syria on Friday killed 13 people. The Israeli military said it had targeted a Lebanese Islamist militant group operating in the area.

The call between Trump and Netanyahu also came a day after Netanyahu requested a pardon from Israel’s president in connection with his long-running corruption case. Trump has publicly supported granting Netanyahu a pardon and sent a letter last month urging President Isaac Herzog to consider it.

The prime minister’s office did not mention the pardon in its summary of the call. Israeli opposition figures have criticised Netanyahu’s request and called on him to resign instead.