Netanyahu's Washington Trip Cost Over $300,000, Included Iran Operation Talks

A trip by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington D.C. in February cost taxpayers over 1.5 million shekels (approximately $300,000 USD), according to details released by the Prime Minister's Office following a freedom of information petition. The visit included a meeting with then-U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House Situation Room.

During this meeting, Netanyahu reportedly held an encrypted video call with then-Mossad chief Dedi Barnea, who presented a plan to overthrow the Iranian regime using Kurdish forces and former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This meeting is said to have led to the "Lion's Roar" operation, which began 17 days later on February 28.

The expenses for the two-day trip included $395,000 for the "Wing of Zion" aircraft and $100,309 for other expenses. While Netanyahu, his wife, and son Yair stayed at Blair House, the rest of the entourage lodged at The Watergate Hotel and The Hay-Adams, costing $49,182.62.

Further itemized costs revealed by the Prime Minister's Office included $1,498 for makeup for Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu, $1,485 for hairstyling, and 8,887 shekels for a doctor from Sheba Hospital who accompanied the Prime Minister. The latter expense was contracted through the Sheba Health Services Research Fund.

"The Prime Minister's Office repeatedly ignores responses to freedom of information requests regarding the use of public funds, and again, only by filing petitions to the courts can information be obtained," stated Attorney Hidi Negev, CEO of the Movement for Freedom of Information. "This is not just about public oversight of the ministry's funds, but also about reporting obligations according to the law. Public officials must know that the use of public funds is not a free-for-all."