Netanyahu Visits Washington Amid US Political Turmoil and Gaza War

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington. Credit | AP

United States: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday amid political turmoil in the United States. 

Significance of his visit 

This is Netanyahu’s first visit to the US in four years, and also his fist after Hamas attacked on October 7 on Israel, which led to the war in Gaza. 

In the war, more than 38,000 Palestinians and more than 1,500 Israelis have lost their lives. Therefore, it created a controversial image for the Israeli president, especially in the United States, as axios.com reported. 

It has also created a divided opinion within the Democratic Party. 

Netanyahu sees his visit as an attempt to reassert his leadership in the US and Israel. However, the timing of the visit is such that most of his counterparts on both sides of the Atlantic are interested in watching the next Democratic nominee for president in the November 5 election. 

However, Netanyahu, whose visit to the White House scheduled on Thursday and the following speech to Congress on Wednesday is to reestablish its tattered image as “the protector of Israel” and as the Israeli politician with the most power and influence in the US. 

The falling popularity of Israeli president 

A recently conducted Channel 12 poll in Israel revealed that more than 72 percent want him to resign from the post. However, just 30 percent of this is suitable for the PM post. 

Despite that, along with a 64-member majority of the Knesset, Netanyahu stayed in office. The Knesset, which is going to recess in less than a week, would be safer for him until November. 

World leaders opinions of Netanyahu 

Only a few months ago, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) insisted that Israelis should have an early vote to replace Netanyahu. Moreover, Biden never wanted to have him over to the White House. 

However, the tables are now turned, as axios.com reported. 

Netanyahu’s Democratic opponents and critics have been hapless, and Biden is most vulnerable now regarding his presidency. 

Most of the GOP supporters align with Trump, which is why most of the Republicans support his candidacy. 

President Biden had planned to host Netanyahu in the Oval Office on Monday but could not because Biden is sick. He just tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. 

Netanyahu also plans to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden endorsed Sunday as the Democratic nominee for president. 

Biden is no longer in the race 

Of course, Biden is no longer in the race; he will probably come to define himself in the next six months and aim at ceasing the Gaza war while in office, as axios.com reported. 

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday that Biden remains committed to concluding the gaps in negotiations regarding the remaining hostages held in the Gaza Strip and the ceasefire of the war. 

Netanyahu has hardened his stance on the hostage and ceasefire deal, and it remains uncertain to this day whether the Prime Minister really wants the gun for a shekel deal or just wants to buy time to prevent the government from collapsing. 

An Israeli delegation stated this after Netanyahu returned from his visit to Washington. Negotiations will resume on Thursday. 

A senior Israeli source commented Netanyahu plans to appeal to Biden for America’s backing on his ultimatums following the meeting, which is tracking Palestinians from the southern part of Gaza to the north and continued control of the Gaza-Egyptian border.