Netanyahu in the United States – took the detour so as not to be arrested
Netanyahu arrived in the United States on Sunday evening and was welcomed with the red carpet. He will meet Trump and other US officials on Monday, reports media in Israel.
The conversations are expected to be about Trump’s new tariffs against the outside world, in Israel’s case of 17 percent, but also about Israel’s war in Gaza and the increased tensions with the arch enemy Iran. According to Israeli Haaretz, much of the focus is expected to be on the hostage in Gaza and Israel’s attempt to have Hamas accepting a partial ceasefire – instead of a more permanent solution, which the terror -stamped extremist movement strives for.
Netanyahu is the first Foreign leader to meet Trump in Washington since the customs shock on Wednesday.
« I think it reflects the special personal relationship and the unique band between the United States and Israel, which is crucial right now, » Netanyahu said before leaving Hungary for the United States on Sunday.
The Israeli Prime Minister is expected to try to negotiate an exception to customs, or at least a reduced percentage. Already on Sunday he met Trade Minister Howard Lutnick and the Trump government’s trade representative Jamieson Greer in a « warm and productive meeting », according to Netanyah’s office.
Netanyahu took a longer route Even necessary from Budapest to Washington, writes The Times of Israel. The delegation is said to have avoided flying over countries that are willing to obey international criminal court’s arrest orders towards Netanyahu, which is wanted for war crimes in Gaza, in case the plane be forced down due to an emergency.
During Netanyahus last visit to the White House, in February, Trump presented his widely criticized proposal to « take over » the Gaza Strip and turn it into « Middle East Riviera ».
Experts and other world leaders have found that the plan is contrary to most of the most basic principles of international law.
