Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, marking their second meeting since Trump’s return to office. The leaders discussed the ongoing war in Gaza, Iran’s nuclear program, and new US tariffs on Israeli goods.
The Trump administration recently imposed sweeping tariffs on multiple countries, including a 17% levy on Israeli imports. Netanyahu, who sought exemptions, called the meeting crucial for Israel’s economy, citing the “special ties” between the two nations. Before seeing Trump, he held talks with US trade officials and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The visit comes as Israel intensifies its Gaza offensive, resuming bombardment after a collapsed ceasefire. Palestinian officials report nearly 1,400 recent deaths, pushing the total toll past 50,000. Netanyahu also faces domestic pressure to return to hostage negotiations.
Last month, Trump controversially suggested displacing Gazans and redeveloping the strip as a “Middle Eastern Riviera.” Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s recent trip to Hungary defying an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes drew criticism after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vowed to leave the court, calling it “political.”
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