Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to land in Washington on Monday amid significant political upheaval in the United States, following President Joe Biden’s announcement to end his reelection campaign. This visit, occurring at a crucial moment in the Gaza war, brings further uncertainty to U.S.-Israeli relations.
President Biden, who has both supported Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas and criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict, announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race just before Netanyahu’s departure. This announcement has cast doubt on whether Netanyahu’s planned meeting with Biden will proceed as scheduled.
Netanyahu is expected to address a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday. However, the political chaos surrounding the U.S. presidential race, with Biden bowing to pressure to step aside and Donald Trump gaining momentum after surviving an assassination attempt, has transfixed observers. Analysts suggest that the shifting political landscape could embolden Netanyahu at a critical time in Gaza cease-fire negotiations.
U.S.-backed talks in Cairo are reportedly gaining momentum, with the administration pressing Netanyahu to accept a deal that would end the fighting in exchange for the release of over 100 Israeli hostages held by militants. Despite accusations from critics that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for political gain, he remains adamant that Israel must continue fighting until Hamas is destroyed, a goal deemed unachievable by his own generals.
Officially, Netanyahu maintains neutrality in American politics, though he has been criticized for aligning with Republicans and openly supported Trump during his presidency. Netanyahu’s tense relationship with Biden has deteriorated further as Israel defies White House entreaties to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and protect civilians. The administration halted the transfer of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel in May due to their use in populated areas.
More than 38,900 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which reports that the majority of the dead are women and children. Netanyahu, before departing for Washington, reiterated his expectation to meet with Biden and thank him for his longstanding support for Israel. The prime minister emphasized Israel’s importance as America’s most crucial ally in the Middle East, regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.
Some of Netanyahu’s allies have been more explicit in their support for Trump, framing cease-fire talks as a partisan issue. Far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir warned colleagues that approving a hostage deal would benefit Biden and harm Trump’s chances in the election. Netanyahu, caught between public anger over his failure to secure a hostage-release deal and pressure from far-right coalition partners, faces significant political challenges at home.
Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington, noted that U.S. pressure on Israel to rein in its military campaign has eased recently, with little public criticism of escalating attacks in civilian areas. The Biden administration has backed off in part due to signs that the attacks are making Hamas more amenable to a deal, seeking a diplomatic win to bolster Biden’s international standing.
Netanyahu’s visit to Washington occurs at a peak of partisan frenzy, with both party conventions approaching and Democrats scrambling to determine their next steps. U.S. officials have expressed nervousness about Netanyahu’s visit, fearing he may complicate their Gaza diplomacy efforts.
As the political situation continues to evolve, Netanyahu’s actions and statements during his visit will be closely watched. The implications of his trip for U.S.-Israeli relations and the ongoing Gaza conflict could be profound.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story. The unfolding events will significantly impact the geopolitical landscape and U.S.-Israeli relations as the 2024 election approaches.
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