Trump to host Netanyahu at White House

President Trump will meet next week with embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House announced on Wednesday.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the two leaders “will discuss their countries’ shared interests and actions in the Middle East” next Monday and then Netanyahu will return on Tuesday for dinner.

{mosads}Netanyahu is visiting Washington, D.C., to attend the American Israel Public Affairs Committee annual policy conference.

The visit comes as the longtime Israeli leader is facing a raft of corruption charges that have thrown a wrench into his reelection bid, with Election Day just two weeks away. 

Netanyahu has highlighted his close relationship with Trump as part of his appeal to Israelis, whom polls show hold the U.S. president in high regard, and his visit may be seen as an effort to give the prime minister a boost with voters at home. 

Trump has earned plaudits from some pro-Israel groups for moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump also withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration — an agreement opposed by Netanyahu’s government.  

The administration has long been expected to release a peace plan for the Israelis and Palestinians but it is unclear when the outline, which is being drafted by White House adviser Jared Kushner, will be released.