Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his reported presence in the White House Situation Room weeks before a joint U.S.-Israel military operation in Iran, labeling it a profound breach of trust.
Khanna, a potential 2028 presidential contender, took to social media to voice his outrage over the February 11 meeting, where Netanyahu was ushered into a highly classified presentation with President Trump and other officials.
The California Democrat vowed that under a future Democratic administration, such access would be barred. “The next Democratic President will never have the Israeli PM in the Situation Room. Trump having Netanyahu there before launching an immoral and illegal war is a betrayal of the American people,” Khanna stated.
The unusual use of the Situation Room for a foreign leader underscored the high-stakes nature of the encounter, which preceded military actions in Iran. Reports detailed a setting where Trump and Netanyahu sat across from each other, diverging from standard protocol. Khanna’s condemnation adds to his long-standing criticism of Netanyahu, particularly over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which he supported labeling as genocide in a November 2025 resolution.
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Beyond the White House controversy, the U.S. and Israel recently agreed to a ceasefire in Iran aimed at halting hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Yet, tensions persist as Israel continued strikes in Lebanon, defying Tehran’s demand for a broader cessation of attacks. Trump intervened on Thursday, directing Netanyahu to curb the assaults, which included 100 airstrikes in just 10 minutes the previous day.
Netanyahu, responding to the pressure, instructed his Cabinet to initiate negotiations with Lebanese officials to focus on disarming Hezbollah and securing peace. “The negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace between Israel and Lebanon,” he declared.
Khanna’s broader stance against unconditional support for Israel was evident in his decision to skip Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress in June 2024 and his vote against additional aid amid attacks on Gaza. His outspoken position signals growing unease among some U.S. lawmakers over the deepening military ties with Israel.
As geopolitical friction mounts, the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening remains a critical economic lifeline, with over 20% of global oil supply passing through the waterway annually.
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