Donald Trump – Benjamin Netanyahu Meeting (July 2025)

The Trump-Netanyahu meeting was a bilateral encounter held on July 7, 2025, at the White House in Washington, addressing regional, military and diplomatic issues in the Middle East. The meeting took place at a time when Israel’s military operations in Gaza were ongoing, while indirect ceasefire negotiations were being conducted in Qatar.

Diplomatic and Social Developments Prior to the Meeting

Indirect Talks in Qatar for a Gaza Ceasefire

Prior to the Trump-Netanyahu meeting, indirect ceasefire and hostage exchange negotiations between Israel and Hamas were initiated in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The aim of these talks was to halt the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of remaining captives. U.S. President Trump indicated during the same week that an agreement could be reached and presented an Israeli delegation with a U.S.-backed ceasefire draft.

The key elements discussed in the Qatari talks included the phased release of hostages, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas of Gaza, and the initiation of negotiations toward a complete end to hostilities. However, fundamental disagreements persisted between the parties on core issues such as the free flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the permanent cessation of the war.

Protests Outside the White House

In the lead-up to Netanyahu’s arrival in Washington, pro-Palestinian protests were held outside the White House. Demonstrators expressed opposition to Israel’s military assaults in the Gaza Strip and to U.S. support for Israel. During the protests, slogans such as “Stop arming Israel” and “Netanyahu is wanted” were chanted, with some demonstrators referencing the arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court.

Location and Organization of the Meeting

Unlike previous meetings, the Trump-Netanyahu discussion took place during a private dinner in the Blue Room of the White House, rather than in the Oval Office. The meeting was conducted in a closed format, without any public press conference or video statement.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff also attended the Trump-Netanyahu meeting. During his visit to Washington, Netanyahu held additional meetings with Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and members of the U.S. Congress. It was announced that after his meetings at the Pentagon, Netanyahu hosted a gala dinner for Jewish and Evangelical Christian communities.

Agenda and Topics Discussed

Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release Process

During their talks, Trump and Netanyahu focused on a proposed 60-day ceasefire plan outlined in the context of the indirect negotiations in Qatar. Under this plan, Hamas would progressively release hostages while Israel would gradually withdraw its forces from specific areas of Gaza. In the first phase, Hamas was expected to hand over 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased captives.

Disagreements continued over the passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the operations of the Gaza Humanitarian Aid Foundation, and the complete termination of the war. Hamas demanded a permanent end to hostilities and full access to humanitarian assistance, while the Israeli delegation stated it lacked authority to make concessions on these issues.

During the meeting, Trump told journalists that the ceasefire process was “progressing very well” and that there was no stalemate. Netanyahu stated he was confident that progress would be made toward the release of remaining hostages in Gaza and the cessation of hostilities.

Discussions on Forced Displacement of Palestinians

During the meeting, Trump and Netanyahu revisited the controversial proposal to forcibly relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to other countries. Netanyahu stated that he had been in discussions with several countries to offer Palestinians who wished to leave Gaza “a better future,” adding that “those who wish to stay may stay, and those who wish to leave may leave.”

Trump noted that he had received “excellent cooperation” from neighboring countries on this matter and anticipated a positive outcome. The plan has been labeled as ethnic cleansing by human rights organizations and sharply criticized by numerous political actors in the region.

Netanyahu defended the process as a “humanitarian solution granting Palestinians the freedom of choice,” while emphasizing that Israel would always retain its security control over Gaza. Trump referenced his previous statements about transforming Gaza into the “Middle East’s Riviera,” but did not present a concrete plan for how this would be implemented in practice.

Diplomatic Engagement with Iran and Regional Developments

Trump outlined plans for new diplomatic contacts with Iran during the meeting. He stated that Iran, following recent military losses, had become open to dialogue and expressed a desire to begin negotiations with the United States. Trump indicated that sanctions against Iran could be lifted when the appropriate time arrived, and that his goal was to support Iran’s peaceful reintegration into the international community.

Netanyahu affirmed that Israel was pursuing regional stability, security and peace in coordination with the United States. He also noted that opportunities for normalization with other regional countries, such as Syria, were being assessed.

Trump’s Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize

During the meeting, Netanyahu presented Trump with a nomination letter he had written and sent to the Nobel Committee in Norway. The nomination was made in recognition of Trump’s peace initiatives and regional agreements in the Middle East.

Public Reaction and Protests Outside the White House

On the day of the meeting, pro-Palestinian demonstrators outside the White House criticized Israel’s military offensive in Gaza and the United States’ support for Israel. The protesters referenced the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu and called for the arrest of the Israeli Prime Minister.