Report: Netanyahu Expected in Washington for Lindsey Graham's Funeral

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to fly to Washington on Saturday night after Shabbat to attend the funeral of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, which is scheduled for next Tuesday, Reuters reported today (Wednesday).

According to the report, a meeting between Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet been finalized. However, Israel is working to arrange one, with expectations that it could take place early next week.

The two leaders last met at the White House on February 11, before Operation "Roaring Lion." According to reports, Netanyahu is seeking another meeting in order to present Israel's intelligence assessments ahead of negotiations between Washington and Tehran on a permanent agreement.

Israel is expected to urge the United States to insist on the removal of enriched uranium from Iranian territory, the dismantling of Iran's ballistic missile capabilities, and an end to Tehran's support for its regional proxy groups.

Yesterday, Axios reported, citing American and Israeli officials, that during a phone call last Thursday, Trump urged Netanyahu to begin redeploying IDF forces from Syria and to take similar steps in Lebanon, with the goal of withdrawing from most of the territory.

According to a U.S. official quoted in the report, Trump told Netanyahu that the IDF's presence in Syrian territory is creating tension and could lead to further escalation, adding that similar concerns apply to Lebanon. The Prime Minister's Office denied the report.