Netanyahu invited to meet Trump in White House next week, becomes first foreign leader to receive invitation

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday evening that U.S. President Donald Trump had formally invited him to a visit at the White House on Tuesday of next week. 

The invitation makes Netanyahu the first foreign leader to receive a White House invitation under Trump’s second-term administration. 

“US President Donald Trump has invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a meeting in the White House on Tuesday, 4 February 2025,” the statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said. “Prime Minister Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House during US President Trump's second term.” 

However, according to the Times of Israel, a White House official claimed the exact date had not yet been finalized. A picture, purportedly of the invitation, which was distributed on social media, did not indicate a specific date, stating only, “I would like to formally invite you to the White House next week.” 

Trump’s invitation to Netanyahu

“It will be an honor to host you as my first foreign leader” pic.twitter.com/6QE2Zl6q5K

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 28, 2025

“I look forward to discussing how we can bring peace to Israel and its neighbors, and efforts to counter our shared enemies, the letter stated. “It will be my honor to host you as my first foreign leader during my second term.” 

U.S. officials have indicated that Trump desires to see all three phases of the ceasefire deal completed, however, the U.S. president has also expressed some doubts about the agreement. 

On Jan. 20, when re-entering the Oval Office, Trump was asked about the ceasefire. 

“How confident are you that you can keep the ceasefire in Gaza?” a reporter asked. 

“It’s not our war. It is their war. I am not confident. But I think they’re very weakened on the other side [Hamas],” Trump responded. 

Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is expected in Israel today to begin discussions regarding the second phase of the deal, which would include the release of the remaining hostages from Gaza in return for discussions about a permanent ceasefire. 

While talks between the sides on the second phase are only officially scheduled to begin on Feb. 16, discussions between the U.S. and Qatar have already begun. 

There are many challenges facing the second phase, including Netanyahu’s previous statements that Israel would oppose any deal to end the war that left Hamas in power in Gaza, or that denied Israel the right to return to fighting the terror organization there. 

Netanyahu also faces the potential collapse of his coalition government over the second and third phases of the deal. 

Jewish Power party leader Itamar Ben Gvir resigned his position as National Security Minister and removed his party from the coalition over the ceasefire deal, calling it a surrender to Hamas.

Ben Gvir’s political ally, Religious Zionism leader, Bezalel Smotrich, has also threatened to leave the government with his party should the second phase move forward and Israel not return to fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 

Israeli Channel 13 news reported that the White House is hoping to convince Netanyahu to continue the agreement by offering a package of incentives. Meanwhile, public broadcaster Kan news reported that Netanyahu is expected to ask for Trump’s support to continue the fight against Hamas.