Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a news conference in Jerusalem on June 15, 2026.
Ronen Zvulun Afp | Getty Images
Politicians and world leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gathered in Washington to meet President Donald Trump while he was in town to honor Sen. The late Lindsey Graham at the funeral service on Tuesday.
At Trump’s invitation, Netanyahu flew to Washington on Monday to perform the service, his office said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also plans to attend the funeral in Washington, reports MS NOW, citing a White House official.
Both leaders plan to meet with Trump during their visit. The meetings could give Netanyahu and Zelenskyy an opportunity to push their agenda on Trump amid global conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Each man has had previous success defending Trump’s buy-in from their positions in previous direct debates.
For Zelenskyy, the visit comes as US and Ukrainian officials are discussing new peace proposals to end the war in Ukraine, which began with a full-scale Russian invasion in 2022.
For Netanyahu, who last visited Washington in February, the meeting is an opportunity to discuss the Iran war – where the fighting has stopped. Monday is the third day since the US strikes were reported in Iran, and the two countries seem to be at a standstill.
The two clashes took place over the weekend when Ukraine killed a sailor after its forces rammed an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea. The ship was transporting weapons to help Russia, Kyiv said. Tehran, however, described the incident as a “hostile and criminal act.” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on the X website on Sunday that Israel was behind the attack on Ukraine.
When asked by reporters on Monday why he was meeting with Netanyahu and whether they were in favor of the Iran war, Trump said “We have a little difference, but you are very close.”
During the meeting, Netanyahu plans to discuss Israel’s security and strength with Trump, he wrote in an X post on Monday.
“Our goal is clear: to protect Israel’s security, strengthen its power, and expand the circle of peace around it,” he said in his post. He also wrote that he would honor Graham during his visit, describing him as a “true friend.”
Netanyahu said on a separate X website after Graham’s death, that the late senator, who served on the Foreign Relations Committee, “understood that the security of Israel and America cannot be separated.”
Graham died shortly after returning from a trip to Ukraine where he met with Zelenskyy about US sanctions on Russia. He died of an aortic dissection on the night of July 11, CNBC previously reported.
Zelenskyy was “deeply saddened” to hear the news, he said in a July 12 post to X.
“He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of the full-scale Russian invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed,” said Zelenskyy. “We talked regularly, and I will remember our conversations.”
Zelenskyy also praised Graham as an advocate of “bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine.”
Two funerals for Graham
Graham’s funeral service in Washington will be held on Tuesday at the Washington National Cathedral. After that, his remains will be transported to his home state of South Carolina for a second service on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, members of the Air Force will carry Graham’s remains to the Capitol where he will be honored for his years of public service, his office announced. Graham’s remains will then be transported to a large church funeral service, which will include an address from Trump.
Members of the public can watch both events via live stream, according to Graham’s office.
On Wednesday, there will be a funeral procession outside the South Carolina statehouse in Columbia, where members of the public are invited to pay their respects. The event will include an F-16 flyover from McEntire Joint National Guard Base’s 169th Fighter Wing and a law enforcement presentation, Graham’s office said. The late senator was a veteran of the Air Force.
The procession will be followed by a funeral service to be held at the First Baptist Church of Columbia. Finally, the family will have a private funeral in Pickens County, SC
“I thank all those who came together to help honor and remember Lindsey,” said Sen. Darline Graham, RS.C., in a statement dated July 15. The late Senator’s sister took her place in the Senate on July 14 after being appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. He is now running for a full six years, with Trump’s endorsement.
Darline Graham thanked the Senate leadership, Trump, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and the venues hosting the services for “going above and beyond to make sure this will be an honorable tribute to Lindsey.”
