Rights Groups Condemn Trump’s Meeting with Netanyahu

Advocacy organizations, including the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), Code Pink, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action), warned that Trump’s support for Netanyahu undermines peace efforts and humanitarian aid.

At a news conference in Lafayette Park near the White House, the groups demanded accountability for Netanyahu, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, instead of offering him a platform.

Trump was set to host Netanyahu at the White House to discuss the war in Gaza, captives held by Hamas, and US relations with Iran and Lebanon, among other topics. The two were going to hold a news conference following their meeting.

"President Trump has made a commitment to making America great again. It is imperative that he prioritize American interests and not allow himself to be dictated by an Israeli prime minister," said USCMO Secretary General Oussama Jammal.

"It is unacceptable for the President of the United States to be disrespected and misled on the global stage, repeating false narratives propagated by Netanyahu. The American people are looking to President Trump to realize a vision for peace, not only in the Middle East but worldwide," he added.

Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, accused Netanyahu of seeking more financial and military support from the US.

"He wants to not carry out the ceasefire (in Gaza). He does not want phase two and phase three of the ceasefire because he does not want to remove the Israeli military from Gaza. He wants to drag the US into a war with Iran, something he has been trying to do for many, many years," she said.

Benjamin emphasized that Trump has an opportunity to influence peace efforts in the region.

"Will he go the road of the warmongers, or will he listen to the voice of the people in the United States that have said for months now?" she added.

CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad called it a "sad day" for the US to be hosting Netanyahu.

"President Trump is making it difficult for him to obtain the title that he would like to have: A president of peace. By hosting this war criminal today, he is telling the world that you can have immunity, you can kill, maim, and destroy if you have the support of the United States," said Awad.

He warned that Netanyahu could push Trump toward a broader conflict.

"We hope that President Trump will not be dragged and fooled by this war criminal, Benjamin Netanyahu, to launch a war on Iran and destabilize the region further," he added.

Osama Abu Irshaid, executive director of AJP Action and American Muslims for Palestine, said Netanyahu’s visit to Washington is aimed at escalating conflict, not seeking peace.

"He further aspires to ignite a regional war in the broader Middle East," Irshaid said, calling Netanyahu "a wanted war criminal."

"A man with such a horrendous record, who is wanted by the ICC, should not be celebrated in Washington, D.C. Rather, he should be held accountable, arrested, and sent to The Hague. But unfortunately, what we see now is that he is being celebrated," he said.

"But unfortunately, what we see is that he's being rewarded," he added.