WarSclerotic

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump this Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the first meeting the two leaders have held since Trump was elected.

Netanyahu will be the fifth head of state to meet with Trump since the new president was sworn in on Jan. 20. Thus far, Trump has met with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and King Abdullah of Jordan. On Monday, he is scheduled to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Netanyahu is slated to fly to the United States on Monday. In Washington, he will stay at Blair House, the official guest residence of the White House. Accommodation there is considered a gesture of friendship from the White House. Netanyahu also stayed there under former U.S. President Barack Obama.

Sources in Netanyahu’s bureau said he is planning to discuss with Trump a number of matters vital to the security and welfare of Israel and the U.S., and said the purpose of the meeting is to create a shared vision to promote peace and security in the region, without major differences between the two nations.

The two main issues on the agenda are how to confront Iranian aggression and the Israel-Palestinian peace process.

During a visit to London this week, Netanyahu said his goal is to see the U.N. Security Council’s limitations on Iran enforced over the recent Iranian ballistic missile tests, and for sanctions to be applied to Iran that will stop it from continuing to develop a nuclear weapon.

In addition, Netanyahu and Trump are expected to discuss moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the Judea and Samaria Settlement Regulation Law, construction in the settlements, and a framework for a two-state solution.

The American administration has so far refrained from commenting on the settlement regulation law. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the matter would be discussed in the meeting between Trump and Netanyahu.

Netanyahu last met with Trump ahead of the U.S. election, when he was in New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Since then, the two leaders have reportedly held one phone conversation.

Also on Thursday, Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson attended a dinner at the White House at Trump’s invitation.

According to a Trump adviser quoted by The Washington Post, the Adelsons were among the biggest donors to Trump and the Republican Party in the 2016 election, and have maintained close ties with the president.

The Adelsons had seats of honor at the presidential inauguration and attended the inaugural events. Trump heaped praise on them for their support.

Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson own the company that is the primary shareholder of Israel Hayom.