Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu To Meet President Trump in Washington

The visit was announced in both Jerusalem and Washington. In Jerusalem, Netanyahu said he “deeply appreciated” Trump’s “kind invitation” and his warm words about Israel. In Washington, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said that the US has a close relationship with Israel, “the only democracy in the Middle East.” He continued, saying, “I think that with respect to Israel and the Jewish people specifically, there’s been no better friend than Donald Trump when it comes to protecting Israel and building a better friendship with Israel.” Spicer was responding to Jewish criticism of a statement last week for International Holocaust Remembrance Day that did not mention the Jews, although six million Jews were killed. High on the agenda for the meeting between the two leaders will be Iran, especially after a test launch of a medium range ballistic missile that exploded after 630 miles. On his Facebook page Netanyahu called the launch “a blatant violation of the Security Council’s decision.” He said he will be meeting with President Trump in Washington and “I will bring up the need for renewing sanctions against Iran, sanctions against ballistic missiles and sanctions against terrorism, in addition to handling this whole failed agreement.” Netanyahu then added, “Iranian aggression cannot be left without a response.”