Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu's trip to Washington took place under extraordinary secrecy following warnings from Israeli security officials about intensified Iranian efforts to target senior Israeli leaders, according to reporting Tuesday evening.
Top government officials, including several cabinet ministers, were briefed on intelligence showing that Tehran has escalated attempts to strike high-ranking Israeli officials as what it considers a strategic opportunity. In response, Israel's security establishment alerted political leadership to the heightened danger, and the Shin Bet significantly increased security around multiple senior officials. Security authorities recommended that Netanyahu's departure be conducted in complete secrecy.
Netanyahu departed from Nevatim Airbase rather than Ben Gurion Airport. Journalists were barred from accompanying the prime minister, and both departure and arrival times were kept from the public for security reasons. Netanyahu's office announced he was traveling to Washington at President Donald Trump's invitation, but the flight schedule remained confidential due to security concerns.
The heightened secrecy extended to Netanyahu's White House meeting with President Trump. The meeting was initially scheduled as closed to media, though a source close to the prime minister indicated those plans could change. According to the source, Netanyahu would prefer that the meeting be "photographed and documented publicly, allowing the close relationship between the two leaders to be reflected not only diplomatically but also visually."