Ahead of PM’s White House visit, Herzog urges Netanyahu to seal hostage deal even if ‘the cost is not simple’

In a rare occurrence, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sits down with President Isaac Herzog ahead of his flight to Washington, where the premier is slated to meet with US President Donald Trump on Monday.

According to a readout from Herzog’s office, the president stresses the urgency of securing a breakthrough in talks for a hostage deal and ceasefire. “In his visit to Washington, the prime minister carries with him an important mission — advancing a deal to bring all our hostages home,” Herzog says.

“I fully support these efforts, even when they involve difficult, complex, and painful decisions… The cost is not simple, but I am confident that the cabinet and the security establishment will rise to the challenge, as they have until now,” Herzog adds.

Herzog wishes success to the negotiating team heading to Doha today and calls on “world leaders and international partners to use their full influence to help achieve a breakthrough… We have no time to waste.”

He also thanks Trump “for his support in eliminating Iran’s nuclear threat and for his unwavering support for Israel.”

According to Herzog’s office, the president expresses hope to Netanyahu that the trip could also “open the door to broader regional developments.” The two discuss “opportunities to deepen ties with additional countries, in the spirit of Trump’s Abraham Accords initiative.”

Netanyahu’s office has not issued a readout of the meeting.