Netanyahu to visit Trump at White House, attend 'dear friend' Lindsey Graham's memorial service

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington, D.C., next week to meet with President Donald Trump and attend the memorial service of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., his office announced Friday.

The office said Netanyahu will leave Israel on Monday and meet Trump the following day. Graham’s communications director said last week that the late senator's "life and legacy" will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 28, in Washington, D.C., and on Wednesday, July 29, in Columbia and Pickens County, South Carolina.

Netanyahu, in a post on X paying tribute to Graham, described him as a "dear friend."

"In our recent meeting, I said, ‘Lindsey is a great friend of Israel and a cherished friend of mine. We have no better friend than Lindsey.’ Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable," Netanyahu said. "He devoted his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance and standing up for the free world."

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US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. (SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)

"Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend," Netanyahu added.

The U.S. and Israel jointly launched Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion against Iran on Feb. 28.

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President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Over the last 13 days, U.S. Central Command has carried out repeated airstrikes against Iranian military targets , while the Israel Defense Forces said they have been pushing back against provocations from Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist group based in Lebanon.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., left, a "dear friend." (Office of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu)

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Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.

Fox News' Yonat Friling contributed to this report.