President Trump announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington next week and confirmed a meeting with the president. At the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Trump repeatedly referred to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer as "Palestinian" and joked about sending him a "Palestinian outfit," prompting criticism from Muslim and Jewish advocacy groups. Netanyahu's office said he will travel Monday, meet Trump on Tuesday, and attend the funeral of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The meeting arrives as tensions and military activity involving the U.S., Israel and Iran enter their fifth month.
Trump Says Netanyahu Will Visit Washington Next Week, Jokes About Schumer at Correspondents' Dinner
President Donald Trump said on Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington next week, remarks that came amid a string of controversial jokes at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.
Netanyahu's office later confirmed that he will travel to Washington on Monday and meet with President Trump on Tuesday. The office also said Netanyahu will attend the funeral of the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.
During his appearance at the dinner, Trump repeatedly cast Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer as "Palestinian," quipping that he would send Schumer "a beautiful Palestinian outfit" to greet Netanyahu when he arrives.
"I am going to send him (Schumer) a beautiful Palestinian outfit tomorrow, so he can greet Bibi Netanyahu when he comes to town next week," Trump said.
He added, "He turned Palestinian," and made a separate joke referencing sharia law.
U.S. Muslim and Jewish advocacy groups have previously criticized Trump for referring to Schumer—who is Jewish—as "Palestinian," saying the term has been used disrespectfully as a slur and as an intentional insult.
The planned Trump–Netanyahu meeting comes as tensions and military activity involving the United States, Israel and Iran enter their fifth month, a context likely to shape discussions during the visit.
Reporting: Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Tom Hogue and Kim Coghill.
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