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Rep. Ro Khanna Criticizes Netanyahu's Reported Situation Room Visit Before U.S.-Israel Operation in Iran
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reported presence in the White House Situation Room prior to a U.S.-Israeli military operation in Iran. The criticism relates to events in February under President Trump. This occurs amid a U.S.-Israel ceasefire agreement with Iran and ongoing strikes in Lebanon.
Apr 9, 4:20 PM·1m read1 source
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Rep. -Israeli joint military operation in Iran violated a pledge. Khanna shared his statement on the social platform X, referencing a New York Times report on the events. The Hill reported that the White House has been contacted for comment but no response was provided.
The New York Times reported that Netanyahu visited the White House on Feb. 11 and entered a highly classified presentation with President Trump and other officials. The Situation Room is rarely used for in-person meetings with foreign leaders, according to the report.
During the meeting, Netanyahu and Trump sat across from each other rather than Trump at the head of the table. Khanna has previously expressed opposition to Netanyahu's policies, including Israel's military campaign in Gaza. In November 2025, Khanna supported a resolution recognizing Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide.
He did not attend Netanyahu's joint address to Congress in June 2024 and voted against additional aid to Israel during its operations in Gaza. > "It was a hard vote. " — Rep. U.S. and Israeli agreement to a ceasefire with Iran, which aims to halt hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel continued strikes in Lebanon despite Iran's condition that Israel and Gulf nations cease attacks there. Netanyahu and the Trump administration initially stated the ceasefire did not extend to Lebanon, a position contradicted by Iranian officials and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
On Thursday, President Trump directed Netanyahu to limit Israel's attacks on Lebanon, following Israel's launch of 100 airstrikes in 10 minutes on Wednesday.
Netanyahu then instructed his cabinet to begin negotiations with Lebanese officials as soon as possible. The negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace between Israel and Lebanon, according to a statement obtained by NewsNation.
