Sara Netanyahu discussed with Trump the importance of Israel’s strong ties with the US, who has boosted Israel’s violence and occupation of Palestinian territories [Getty/file photo]
The wife of Israel’s Prime Minister, Sara Netanyahu, was seen dining with US President-elect Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday, during which the two reportedly spoke of the “strategic importance” of winning the war waged in Gaza, which has killed over 44,000 Palestinians.
The two reportedly met at an event at the Trump International Golf Course in the US state, according to Israeli media reports.
Netanyahu said she and Trump, who will serve his second term as the president of the United States in January, also discussed “many topics”, including the importance of “continuing to nurture the unique bond between our nations”.
“I spoke to the president about the great suffering our country went through on October 7… and emphasized the urgency to act to release the hostage and return them quickly,” she wrote in a social media post.
“We also discussed the strategic importance of Israel’s victory in the fight against the axis of evil, for a more stable and secure future in the Middle East and around the world,” Netanyahu wrote on Instagram.Â
The Israeli Prime Minister, however, has been long-accused by families of hostages held in Gaza and a significant number of Israelis for not doing enough to secure their release. Numerous protests have been held in Israel over Netanyahu’s inaction over the hostages.
Many have also said the Israeli premier hasn’t ensured the captives’ release as a means of clinging onto power, as he faces corruption charges.Â
Sara Netanyahu herself has landed in hot water over her comments concerning the hostage situation, having accused families of “helping Hamas” as they have made public statements criticising Netanyahu’s handling of the war and hostage issue in Gaza, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
The prime minister’s wife claimed her husband was “doing everything he can” for their return, despite continued public anger.
Netanyahu last met Trump in July this year. The President-elect recently boasted of his “very good” relationship with the Israeli PM, claiming they spoke every day despite Trump not yet being president.
Sara Netanyahu’s time in the US also coincides with the start of the Israeli prime minister’s testimony in his criminal trial on bribery and fraud charges, slated to start this month.
The US has been Israel’s biggest ally over the decades, having provided the country with endless military, financial and diplomatic support.
More recently, under the Biden administration, Washington provided Israel with billions of dollars worth of weaponry as the country carried out its military onslaught in Gaza.
Trump, who won the presidential election last month, has gone on to assemble what analysts have described as an “Israel first” cabinet, which includes Mike Huckabee as US ambassador to Israel, who has previously denied that Israel occupies the West Bank.
