Donald Trump is set to meet face-to-face with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a relationship that has been notably close since Trump’s presidency. Trump will welcome “Bibi” as he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination. This meeting comes at a tumultuous time domestically, marked by a recent assassination attempt and Joe Biden’s resignation, alongside rising criticism of Israel due to ongoing bombings in Gaza that killed another 70 people on Monday.
Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, “Looking forward to welcoming Bibi Netanyahu to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.” The meeting, featuring two prominent figures in international politics, is scheduled for Friday at Trump’s well-known estate in Florida. Originally intended for Wednesday, the meeting was postponed at Netanyahu’s request, as he will also be addressing the U.S. Congress and engaging in high-profile meetings.
The arrival of Netanyahu in Washington comes amid scrutiny over Israel’s military actions in Gaza. He arrived for a multi-day visit, which includes an address to a joint session of Congress and individual meetings with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. As he left Israel, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of this trip during a time of “great political uncertainty” leading up to the U.S. presidential elections on November 5.
Netanyahu’s visit coincides with a historic election campaign in the U.S., characterized by extraordinary events, including Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race and his endorsement of Harris as his last-minute Democratic replacement. The anticipation of Netanyahu meeting Trump, especially following the assassination attempt on the former president over a week ago, reflects the tense political environment as the elections approach.
While the meeting’s scheduling shifted from Wednesday to Thursday and finally to Friday, this adjustment aligns with Netanyahu’s availability. Trump confirmed, “At the request of Bibi Netanyahu, we’ve changed this meeting to Friday, July 26.” Netanyahu is expected to speak to Congress on Wednesday and meet with Biden on Thursday afternoon. Tensions are high, as some Democratic lawmakers have announced intentions to boycott Netanyahu’s address in protest of alleged war crimes in Gaza, a situation that has led to an international arrest warrant against him.
During his visit, Vice President Harris is also expected to meet with Netanyahu, although the specific date is yet to be confirmed. She will not attend his speech to Congress, which is usually an event for U.S. vice presidents. While Harris’s camp cited a prior commitment as the reason for her absence, some analysts suggest that this decision could signal her concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, setting her apart from Biden’s administration and aligning with the more critical Democratic lawmakers regarding Israel’s actions in the region.
With Biden’s unexpected exit from the presidential race, Harris has a chance to clarify her stance on issues that could alienate certain Democratic voters as the elections loom. Analysts note that the Israel-Gaza issue has highlighted differences between Biden and Harris, providing pressure from her political base to make these distinctions clear.
Harris has historically supported Biden’s stance on Israel but has been vocally advocating for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, signaling a potential shift in her position.
The relationship between Trump and Netanyahu has been characterized by strong cooperation and mutual support on key global security issues. Trump has often claimed, “Israel has a friend in the White House.” This strategic alliance not only influenced Middle Eastern politics but extended to local matters, as Trump actively supported Netanyahu’s 2019 re-election bid.
Key moments in their partnership include the controversial decision in May 2018 to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which was met with criticism both regionally and from international legal experts due to the disputed nature of the territory. Another significant milestone was Trump’s recognition in March 2019 of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a strategically important area captured from Syria during the 1967 war.
In September 2020, under Trump’s mediation, Israel normalized relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in what became known as the Abraham Accords. Netanyahu hailed this agreement as a major breakthrough for peace in the Middle East and supported Trump’s efforts to enhance regional stability.
Regarding security, both leaders maintained a firm stance against Iran, openly opposing the 2015 nuclear deal. Trump withdrew the U.S. from this agreement in 2018, aligning with Netanyahu’s belief that it failed to effectively curtail Iranian nuclear ambitions.
Source: https://www.perfil.com/noticias/internacional/donald-trump-se-reunira-con-bibi-netanyahu-en-su-casa-de-florida.phtml
