PALM BEACH, Fla. (NewsNation) — For the first time in nearly four years, former President Donald Trump met face-to-face with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The meeting offers Trump the chance to showcase his support for Israel.
The meeting was scheduled for mid-afternoon Friday at the former president’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Local authorities implemented heightened security measures in the area and prepared for potential protests.
The meeting follows Netanyahu’s meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday. Harris, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, emphasized the importance of a cease-fire deal amid the Israel-Hamas war while saying she respects Israel’s right to defend itself.
What will Trump and Netanyahu discuss?
Trump and Netanyahu will discuss the war in Gaza.
The former president has previously voiced support for Israel. He’s expected to reiterate his recent statements from interviews and rallies, advocating for a swift end to the war and the return of hostages.
“I support Israel’s right to win its war on terror. Is that okay? I don’t know. I don’t know if that’s good or bad politically. I don’t care. You gotta do what’s right. It was a terrible attack. Oct. 7 was a terrible attack,” Trump said during a rally in May.
This meeting is the first between Trump and Netanyahu since their fallout in 2020, when the prime minister congratulated Biden on his White House win, a move that angered Trump.
The meeting Friday was reportedly requested by Netanyahu as the Biden administration urges Israel and Hamas to agree to a U.S.-backed cease-fire deal.
Harris: Netanyahu meeting was ‘frank and constructive’
This follows Netanyahu’s two high-stakes meetings Thursday in Washington.
Harris adopted a forceful tone in her meeting with the prime minister, a day after his fiery address to Congress.
Harris affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself but also expressed serious concern for the high death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She urged Netanyahu to reach a cease-fire deal quickly.
“As I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done. So, to everyone who has been calling for a cease-fire and to everyone who yearns for peace, I hear you and I see you. Let’s get the deal done so we can get a cease-fire to end the war.”
Harris added there has been hopeful progress in reaching that deal and the release of the hostages, describing her meeting as “frank and constructive.”
