Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar begins his first official Washington visit as Israel mulls a Gaza City offensive, set to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and top US Jewish leaders.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar departed for Washington on Sunday night for a series of crucial diplomatic engagements amid intensifying debate over a potential IDF ground operation in Gaza City.
The centerpiece of the trip will be Sa’ar’s meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday — their second sit-down this year following Rubio’s February visit to Jerusalem. Sa’ar will also confer with US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, their first meeting since the May assassination of two Israeli embassy staffers outside Washington’s Capital Jewish Museum.
This marks Sa’ar’s first official US visit since becoming foreign minister in November, underscoring his bid to cement ties with Washington during one of the most volatile phases of Israel’s war against Hamas.
Beyond government talks, Sa’ar’s schedule includes:
- Consultations with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
- Meetings with AIPAC leadership
- Hosting a reception for American Jewish leaders and Christian allies of Israel
Sa’ar’s Washington mission comes as Israel weighs a pivotal military decision — whether to launch a ground campaign to retake Gaza City nearly two years into the war with Hamas. His meetings are expected to center on US support, regional security coordination, and the political roadmap for Israel’s next steps.
