WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boarded a plane to the U.S. Monday for high-stakes meetings in Washington as negotiations continue to bring the Israel-Hamas war to an end.
This week, Netanyahu plans to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and address Congress to urge continued support for Israel.
“Achieving the release of all our hostages, defeating Hamas, confronting the terror axis of Iran and its proxies, and ensuring that all Israeli citizens return safely to their homes in the north and in the south,” Netanyahu said before departing Israel.
The U.S. State Department confirmed Monday negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal continue.
“We have significantly narrowed the disagreements between the parties,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
However, Miller would not say whether the department expects a deal before Netanyahu’s address Wednesday.
“It’s just very difficult to predict,” Miller said.
There’s significant tension among members of Congress about Netanyahu’s visit. Dozens of Democrats will likely skip his speech over concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Protests against the war continue to ring out around the world as well, and U.S. Capitol Police are planning for a “large number” of demonstrators to show up for Netanyahu’s address.
“There’s great political uncertainty in Washington,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu acknowledged Sunday’s big political shakeup: President Biden withdrawing from the 2024 election and Harris now seeking the Democratic party’s presidential nomination to take on former President Donald Trump.
“I will tell my friends on both sides of the aisle that regardless of who the American people choose as their next president, Israel remains America’s indispensable and strong ally in the Middle East,” Netanyahu said.
