Mar-a-Lago Summit
Why Washington is Pressing Israel to Apply Sovereignty Now
While Justice Minister Yariv Levin temporarily assumed the role of acting prime minister in Netanyahu’s absence, attention shifted to Mar-a-Lago, where Netanyahu and Trump are expected to coordinate what Israeli officials describe as a new strategic framework for the Middle East.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Florida for a high-stakes diplomatic visit to the United States, where he is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate. The talks are expected to focus on three core issues: the hostage deal with Hamas, curbing Iran’s military buildup, and renewed discussion of applying Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.
A “Red Line” on the Hostage Deal
According to a report by Israel’s N12, Netanyahu is arriving with a firm position on negotiations with Hamas. Accompanying him are the parents of fallen hostage Sgt. Ran Gvili, whose body remains held in Gaza.
The message Netanyahu is expected to deliver to Trump is unequivocal: Israel will not advance to the second phase of the hostage deal without the return of Guvili’s body. Israeli officials view the issue as both a moral imperative and a strategic test of Hamas’s intentions.
Beyond the hostage issue, Netanyahu is expected to reiterate Israel’s demands for the demilitarization of Gaza and the establishment of an international force to govern the territory in any “day after” arrangement.
Iran, Ballistic Missiles, and Regional Realignment
Another major focus of the talks will be Iran. Netanyahu is reportedly carrying sensitive intelligence materials to present to Trump and senior members of the incoming administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio.
The intelligence reportedly centers on Iran’s accelerated production of ballistic missiles and advanced air defense systems. The sides are also expected to discuss the possibility of a diplomatic arrangement with Syria aimed at weakening Iran’s regional axis and limiting Tehran’s influence across the Levant.
Sovereignty Returns to the Agenda - With U.S. Backing
A notable and unexpected dimension of the visit is the reported return of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria to the diplomatic agenda. According to political analyst Ariel Kahana, the push is coming not from Jerusalem, but from Washington, particularly from senior figures within the evangelical movement aligned with Trump.
Just last month, at an event organized by the Friends of Zion (FOZ) organization led by Dr. Mike Evans in ancient Shiloh, speakers sharply criticized hesitation within the Republican leadership on the issue. Evans argued that radical Islamist ideology is incompatible with a two-state solution and called on a future Trump administration to greenlight immediate Israeli sovereignty.
Netanyahu is expected to complete his meetings on Tuesday, including sit-downs with Jewish community leaders and American media figures, before returning to Israel on Wednesday.
The Mar-a-Lago summit is being closely watched in Jerusalem and beyond, as it may signal not only a reset in U.S.-Israel relations, but a potential shift in long-standing red lines on sovereignty, security, and the future of the region.