Netanyahu Departs for Trump Talks, AIPAC Conference in Washington

PM expected to address AIPAC Policy Conference on Tuesday after meeting Trump, who may sign directive to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights

Noa Landau

Mar 23, 2019

Send in e-mailSend in e-mail

File photo: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his wife Sarah leaving Tel Aviv on their way to Washington, March 2015.Credit: Amos Ben Gershom / GPO

Noa Landau

Mar 23, 2019

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington on Saturday night to meet U.S. President Donald Trump and address the AIPAC Policy Conference.

The prime minister will kick off his four-day visit by meeting Trump in the White House on Monday. The two leaders are expected to discuss Iran's attempts to establish military bases in Syria and methods to prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons.

>> Explained: Trump's Golan Heights declaration: What does it mean and what happens now ■ Opinion: Will AIPAC boo Netanyahu?

During Netanyahu's visit, Trump will likely sign an official directive recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, an intention the U.S. president announced in a tweet last Thursday.

Netanyahu will address the annual AIPAC Policy Conference on Tuesday morning, local time. After his speech, the premier will hold a series of meetings on Capitol Hill with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the leaders of the House of Representatives and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The prime minister will end the visit with a formal dinner with Trump in the White House before returning to Israel on Wednesday. His wife, Sara Netanyahu, and son, Yair, will accompany him on the trip.

Prior to departing Saturday evening, Netanyahu thanked Trump for recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and announced plans to discuss "the continuation of our joint struggle against Iranian aggression."