Foreign Minister Israel Katz is set to embark on a significant diplomatic mission tonight as he heads to Washington, DC, to represent Israel at the NATO summit. This summit, marking the 75th anniversary of the alliance's founding, will prominently focus on NATO's support for Ukraine and the future of Ukraine's relationship with the alliance, according to Times of Israel.
Despite these primary concerns, Katz is expected to bring attention to the pressing issues related to Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, particularly given Iran's support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict and the ongoing hostilities involving Hamas and Hezbollah against Israel.
During his visit, Katz will participate in two events hosted by US President Joe Biden and another by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. These gatherings offer a platform for Katz to engage with key international leaders and emphasize Israel's security concerns. Additionally, he will hold meetings with his European counterparts on the summit's sidelines, providing further opportunities to discuss regional security matters and foster diplomatic relations.
The summit will also see the participation of several of Washington's Arab allies, including Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Tunisia. While Israel maintains diplomatic relations with some of these nations, such as Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Bahrain, Qatar and Tunisia do not recognize Israel. Nevertheless, the presence of these countries presents a unique opportunity for Katz to potentially engage with Arab counterparts. Notably, a meeting between Katz and Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani could be significant, especially considering Qatar's role in mediating hostage talks between Israel and Hamas.
In addition to his interactions with international leaders, Katz is scheduled to meet with influential US legislators, including South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham and New York Governor Kathy Hochul. These meetings will likely focus on strengthening US-Israel relations and discussing collaborative efforts to address mutual security challenges.