Yeshiva World NewsSecretive Departure: Netanyahu’s Plane To U.S. Takes Off From Nevatim Air Base
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu departed for Washington early Monday afternoon ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House tomorrow
The flight took place under an unprecedented level of secrecy imposed by the Prime Minister’s Office, Ynet reported. In a highly unusual move, the office did not announce the departure time from Israel, the expected arrival time in the United States, or even the location from which the aircraft would take off.
According to flight tracking websites, the Wing of Zion aircraft took off at approximately 1:00 p.m. from Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel, without first stopping at Ben Gurion Airport, from where Netanyahu usually departs. No journalists accompanied Netanyahu on the plane, and he did not speak to the press before boarding.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Trump tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. at the White House. The Prime Minister’s Office is awaiting a decision from the U.S. administration on whether Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will join the meeting or meet separately with Netanyahu.
Iran is expected to be the central topic of the meeting, against the backdrop of efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Oman to reach a compromise that would regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and prevent a return to large-scale fighting.
Israeli officials are concerned that such an arrangement could enable Tehran to resume oil exports, receive sanctions relief, and channel tens of billions of dollars into its economy.
Netanyahu is expected to present Trump with updated intelligence on Iran’s efforts to rebuild its nuclear program, restore its ballistic missile capabilities, and conceal strategic assets deep underground.
In addition to Iran, the two leaders are expected to discuss the war in the Gaza Strip and developments involving Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey.
Netanyahu is also scheduled to attend the funeral service for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham in Washington on Tuesday.
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)