Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew a large and enthusiastic crowd on Wednesday afternoon as he appeared at the Bal Harbour Shul in Surfside, Florida, where nearly 2,000 people gathered under heavy security.
Netanyahu arrived at the synagogue to chants of “Yamim al yemei melech,” as attendees packed the sanctuary and surrounding areas. Law enforcement maintained an extensive security presence, reflecting both the size of the crowd and the high-profile nature of the visit.
Among those in attendance were Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, Rep. Randy Fine, civil rights attorney Leo Terrell, and former Bal Harbour mayor Gabe Groisman, alongside numerous Jewish communal leaders and local officials.
The synagogue appearance came amid Netanyahu’s visit to Florida as part of a broader series of meetings with senior American political figures. Later that evening, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, were seen attending a New Year’s Eve event at Mar-a-Lago, hosted by US President Donald Trump.
Trump had previously confirmed that Netanyahu would attend the gathering, which included senior administration officials, longtime political allies, and prominent international business figures. The two leaders met earlier in the week to discuss the fragile Gaza ceasefire and broader regional developments in the Middle East.
This marked Netanyahu’s fifth visit to the United States since Trump’s return to office earlier this year. While reports have suggested tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over the pace and terms of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, Trump publicly dismissed claims of friction.
