Netanyahu May Travel to U.S. Next Week for Potential Summit with Trump, His Lawyer Says
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Israel-US Relations
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may travel to the United States as early as next week, his attorney informed a court on Wednesday, as reports circulate about a potential White House summit involving Netanyahu, President Donald Trump, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
The announcement came during a hearing in Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial. Netanyahu’s attorney, Amit Hadad, informed the court that he would be absent from the Sunday session, noting: “We will submit a request to the court to summon two witnesses.” Attorney Yehudit Tirosh responded, “There was a report just now that next week Mr. Netanyahu will fly to the United States.” Hadad replied that he was looking into the matter and would update accordingly, adding: “The moment I know, you’ll know.”
🤝 Potential Three-Way Summit in Washington
According to multiple Israeli media reports, Netanyahu’s visit—should it materialize—is expected to be centered on a three-way meeting in Washington with President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Diplomatic correspondent Guy Azriel of i24NEWS reported that the meeting is being planned for the week of May 11, approximately two and a half weeks from now, contingent on the security situation and the absence of renewed fighting.
The summit would mark a significant diplomatic development, focusing on:
- A potential ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon
- Coordination regarding Iran and regional security
- Bilateral relations between Israel and Lebanon
President Trump had previously announced that a meeting between Netanyahu and Aoun was expected to take place in Washington, contingent on progress in lower-level talks currently underway. No breakthrough in those talks has been reported so far.
Since the talks began two weeks ago, Netanyahu has referred to the possibility of forging a direct agreement with Lebanon as “realistic.” This has come alongside the continuation of what has been described as a “quiet war” with Hezbollah, following IDF strikes in areas that Lebanon has so far been unable—and perhaps unwilling—to prevent.
📅 Contradictory Reports from the Prime Minister’s Office
Despite the court testimony and multiple media reports, the Prime Minister’s Office has issued a denial, stating that no meeting has been scheduled between Netanyahu and Trump, and that the Prime Minister does not intend to travel to the U.S. next week. The office added that Netanyahu remains in constant contact with the President.
This denial has created confusion, though it is not uncommon for such sensitive diplomatic travel to be confirmed only at the last moment. Reports indicate that Netanyahu’s last visit to the United States was in February, before the joint Israeli-American strikes on Iran.
🇺🇸 Trump’s Recent Announcement of Netanyahu Meeting
President Trump, without specifying a date, previously announced that a meeting between Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun would take place in Washington, contingent on progress in lower-level talks currently underway between Israel and Lebanon.
The backdrop for these diplomatic efforts includes:
- Ongoing indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Lebanon
- A fragile ceasefire with Iran that remains in place but extends no formal peace agreement
- Continued tensions with Hezbollah along Israel’s northern border
⚖️ Implications for Netanyahu’s Corruption Trial
The potential trip carries legal implications. Netanyahu is currently in the midst of his long-running corruption trial, which resumed this week after a two-month hiatus due to the war with Iran.
The court has previously accommodated Netanyahu’s official travel, and a trip to Washington would likely be approved given the diplomatic significance. His defense team has been seeking to delay proceedings, citing security and diplomatic responsibilities—a pattern that has drawn criticism from opponents who accuse Netanyahu of using national security to evade the witness stand.
Netanyahu has testified 80 times so far and is nearing the end of cross-examination. But with elections scheduled for October 2026, his legal strategy appears focused on delay. Critics argue that scheduling official travel during the trial may be part of that strategy, giving him cover to postpone testimony while appearing to attend to urgent state business.
🌍 Broader Context: The Lebanese Dimension
The potential trilateral meeting comes amid significant diplomatic momentum:
- A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah remains in place, though no formal peace agreement has been signed
- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who took office in 2025, is viewed by Israel as a potential partner for negotiations
- Lebanon’s economic collapse has made Beirut more receptive to Western-mediated talks with Israel
Iran’s regional influence and its nuclear program remain central concerns for both Washington and Jerusalem.
Hezbollah, which maintains significant political and military power in Lebanon, has not indicated any willingness to accept a permanent Israeli presence on the border. However, Lebanon’s crippled economy may make Aoun more open to negotiation with the US and Israel, especially if Washington dangles financial assistance as an incentive.
Any agreement would almost certainly require Hezbollah’s tacit consent—or at least, its decision not to violently oppose the deal. That remains a significant unknown.
🛫 Security Considerations
If the trip proceeds, security will be a major consideration. Netanyahu has curtailed his international travel since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in November 2024, alleging war crimes in Gaza.
The United States is not a signatory to the Rome Statute and has no obligation to enforce the warrant. Netanyahu can travel to Washington without fear of arrest, though his presence on US soil could trigger renewed public protests. The White House has not indicated that the warrant will affect the visit.
According to i24NEWS, any visit remains contingent on the security situation in the region. If fighting were to resume on Israel’s northern or southern fronts, the trip would likely be postponed.
🔮 What Comes Next
For now, conflicting signals leave the visit uncertain:
- The Prime Minister’s Office has denied that a trip is scheduled for next week
- Netanyahu’s lawyer acknowledged the possibility in court
- Multiple media outlets continue to report that the visit is being actively planned for mid-May
The court may need to rule on whether Netanyahu can pause his testimony to attend the summit—a decision that will test the balance between legal accountability and diplomatic necessity. Presiding judges have previously accommodated the Prime Minister’s schedule, though with evident frustration at the repeated delays.
If the meeting proceeds, it could mark a significant breakthrough in Lebanon-Israel relations. If not, Washington may have to continue its mediation through lower-level channels. The next few days will likely bring clarity as the White House and Prime Minister’s Office finalize arrangements.
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Netanyahu’s possible travel | May travel to Washington as early as next week, according to his lawyer |
| Potential meeting | Possible three-way summit with Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun |
| Timing | Week of May 11 (reports) OR next week (court testimony) |
| Official denial | Prime Minister’s Office denies trip is scheduled for next week |
| Purpose | Ceasefire talks with Lebanon, coordination on Iran, potential Israel-Lebanon agreement |
| Trial implications | Netanyahu may seek to pause testimony for diplomatic travel |
| Next steps | Awaiting official confirmation from White House or Prime Minister’s Office |
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