Washington, Jan 23 (AFP) US President Donald Trump will welcome Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House January 28, and has also invited the Israeli prime minister's election rival Benny Gantz to visit Washington, the White House said on Thursday.

"The United States and Israel are strong partners, and the prime minister's visit is an opportunity to discuss our shared regional and national security interests," a White House statement said.

The visit comes as Netanyahu faces a third election in less than a year.

Gantz, his centrist challenger, also accepted a Trump invitation to visit, the White House said, without giving a date. (AFP)

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