Israel's Prime Minister meets with Donald Trump in Florida

Israeli PM Netanyahu Delivers Address To Joint Meeting Of U.S. Congress

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol on July 24, 2024 in Washington, DC. Getty Images Credit: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has travelled to Florida to meet former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. His visit, meant to reduce tensions between the two leaders, comes after Mr Netanyahu met with US President Joe Biden and Vice-president Kamala Harris.



Cheers of support in Hebrew, and insults in Arabic - outside Mar-a-Lago.

A handful of Israel's supporters with flags raised high on one side of the road - on the other, many more pro-Palestinians with flags raised equally high.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's motorcade is leaving Donald Trump’s Florida resort after a meeting between the two.

Israel's prime minister and his wife, Sara, had travelled to meet Mr Trump, the Republican nominee in the 2024 US presidential race, to ease tensions between the two leaders.

The relationship has been put to the test in recent years with Mr Netanyahu congratulating Joe Biden on his 2020 election victory, which Mr Trump falsely claimed was stolen.

Mr Trump had also been critical of Mr Netanyahu for Israeli security lapses during the 7th of October attack.

"Mr. Trump, is your relationship with the Prime Minister repaired at all?"

TRUMP: "It was never bad, I would say it was always good. No president has done what I've done for Israel, and we've always had a very good relationship. And, if I didn't, I have a secret weapon. You know what it is, Sara? You sitting right over here. I have Sara. As long as I have Sara, that's all that matters."

Mr Netanyahu had earlier met with Democratic President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running against Mr Trump in the upcoming presidential elections.

Mr Netanyahu’s visit to Florida was seen as critical, particularly because there is a growing feeling in his camp that if Vice President Harris wins, she may not be as forward-leaning in her support for Israel as Mr Biden.

During their meeting, Vice President Harris emphasised that Israel has the right to defend itself, but also stressed the importance of alleviating Palestinian suffering.

"It is time for this war to end, and end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released. The suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity and self determination. There has been hopeful movement in the talks to secure an agreement on this deal, and as I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal Done. "

Mr Trump says those remarks are disrespectful and branded Ms Harris a destroyer.

"She's a radical left person. San Francisco, destroyed San Francisco. She's really a destroyer. She doesn't know how to build. And, I think her remarks were disrespectful. They weren't very nice pertaining to Israel. I actually don't know how a person who's Jewish can vote for her, but that's up to them. But she was certainly disrespectful to Israel, in my opinion."

Mr Netanyahu hopes his U-S trip will lead to a quicker ceasefire deal, adding that his government was trying to get one.

During his visit, Mr Netanyahu also gave the former U-S President a photo of a child he says is currently being held hostage by Hamas.

"A picture, a photo of one of the toddlers who is now held hostage, still held hostage in Gaza. Her grandfather wanted me to give it to you, President Trump." TRUMP: "We'll get that taken care of."

According to Israeli tallies, when Hamas-led gunmen burst into southern Israel from occupied Gaza on the 7th of October, they killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 people hostage.

Palestinian health officials say more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in the air and ground offensive Israel launched in response.

Meanwhile, Barack and Michelle Obama have endorsed Vice-president Harris as the Democratic nominee for president.

The 44th president and his wife took part in a phone call to Ms Harris which she then released as part of a campaign video.

Barack Obama: “Kamala.”

Kamala Harris: “Hello, hi.”

Michelle Obama: “Hey there.”

Kamala Harris: “Hi. Oh you’re both together, oh, it’s good to hear you both.”

Michelle Obama: “I can't have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala, I am proud of you. This is going to be historic."

Barack Obama: “We call to say Michelle and I couldn't be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office."

Kamala Harris: “Oh my goodness. Michelle, Barack this means so much to me.

Their endorsement could help boost support and fundraising for the Harris campaign and signals Obama is likely to get on the campaign trail for her.

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Israel's Prime Minister meets with Donald Trump in Florida | SBS News