After a week of controversy over the visit and the White House denying it was on U.S. President Donald Trump's schedule, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday the postponement of his planned visit to the United States next week.

The office attributed the reasons for the postponement to the postponement of the funeral of the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham to the end of July, explaining that the program included, in addition to attending the funeral, an expected meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu was scheduled to leave for Washington on Saturday evening, according to Israeli media reports.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu was to attend Graham's funeral ceremonies, along with holding a meeting with Trump at the White House, but the arrangements changed after the funeral date was adjusted, according to what it reported.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not set a new date for the visit, nor did the White House announce any alternative schedule for a meeting between Netanyahu and Trump.

A White House official had denied on Tuesday the Israeli press reports claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington would be next week.

Axios quoted a White House official as saying: There is no visit by Netanyahu on Trump's agenda next week.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham died last week at the age of 71 following a sudden health crisis, sparking widespread reactions inside and outside the United States.

Graham was one of the most prominent supporters of Israel in the U.S. Senate, and maintained close ties with Netanyahu over the years.

Netanyahu mourned the late senator, describing him as 'one of Israel's greatest friends,' stressing that the two countries lost a figure who played a prominent role in strengthening bilateral relations and defending Israel's security within U.S. institutions.