Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a news conference in Jerusalem on June 15, 2026.
Ronen Zvulun | Afp | Getty Images
Politicians and world leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are gathering in Washington to meet with President Donald Trump while in town to honor the late Sen. Lindsey Graham at his funeral service Tuesday.
At Trump’s invitation, Netanyahu flew to Washington on Monday for the service, his office announced. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also plans to attend the Washington funeral, MS NOW reported, citing a White House official.
Both leaders are planning to meet with Trump during their respective visits. These meetings could give Netanyahu and Zelenskyy a chance to push their agendas on Trump amid global conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Each man has had previous successes securing Trump’s buy in for their positions in previous direct conversations.
For Zelenskyy, the visit comes as U.S. and Ukrainian officials have been discussing new peace proposals to end the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion.
For Netanyahu, who last came to Washington in February, the meeting is a chance to discuss the Iran war — where fighting is currently at at a halt. Monday marks the third day since any U.S. strikes have been reported in Iran, and the two countries appear to be holding a pause.
The two conflicts overlapped over the weekend when Ukraine killed a sailor after its military struck an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea. The vessel was transporting weapons to aid Russia, Kyiv said. Tehran, however, described the incident as a “hostile and criminal act.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an X post Sunday that Israel was the driver in Ukrainian attack.
When asked by reporters on Monday why he is meeting with Netanyahu and whether they are aligned on the Iran war, Trump said “We have a little difference, but pretty close.”
During the meeting, Netanyahu plans to discuss Israel’s security and strength with Trump, he wrote in an X post on Monday.
“Our goal is clear: to safeguard Israel’s security, strengthen its power, and expand the circle of peace around us,” he said in his post. He also wrote that he will pay his respects to Graham during his visit, who he described as a “true friend.”
Netanyahu said in a separate X post after Graham’s death, that the late senator, who served on the Foreign Relations Committee, “understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable.”
Graham died right after he had returned from a trip to Ukraine where he was meeting with Zelenskyy about U.S. sanctions on Russia. He died of an aortic dissection the evening of July 11, CNBC previously reported.
Zelenskyy was “deeply saddened” to learn of the news, he said in a July 12 post on X.
“He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of Russia’s full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed,” Zelenskyy said. “We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations.”
Zelenskyy also praised Graham as an advocate for “bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine.”
Two funerals for Graham
Graham’s Washington funeral service will be on Tuesday at the Washington National Cathedral. After that, his remains will be transported to his home state of South Carolina for a second service on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Air Force servicemembers will carry Graham’s remains into the Capitol where he will be recognized for his years of public service, his office announced. Graham’s remains will then be transported for the cathedral funeral service, which will include an address from Trump.
Members of the public can view both ceremonies via livestream, according to Graham’s office.
On Wednesday, there will be a funeral procession outside South Carolina’s statehouse in Columbia, where members of the public are invited to pay their respects. The event will include an F-16 flyover from the 169th Fighter Wing of the McEntire Joint National Guard Base and a law enforcement presentation, Graham’s office said. The late senator was an Air Force veteran.
The procession will be followed by a funeral service at the First Baptist Church of Columbia. Finally, the family will have a private burial in Pickens County, S.C.
“I am grateful to all those who have come together to help honor and remember Lindsey,” Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., said in a July 15 statement. The late senator’s sister replaced him in the Senate on July 14 after being appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. She is now running for a full six-year-term, with Trump’s endorsement.
Darline Graham thanked Senate leadership, Trump, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and the venues hosting services for “going above and beyond to ensure these will be honorable tributes to Lindsey.”
