US and Israel bound forever? What Netanyahu’s Washington visit means

Unpopular at home, the prime minister has made every effort to convince his American allies he is indispensable
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Unpopular at home, the prime minister has made every effort to convince his American allies he is indispensable

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made his first trip abroad since the events of October 7, 2023, with an important visit to Washington, DC. His plane, known as the Wing of Zion, landed in the US capital on Monday, July 22.

The skies were clear that day, but the political atmosphere in Washington was not. The US has been experiencing challenging times, marked by deep societal divisions and a seeming departure from the foundational values established by the Founding Fathers.

During his visit, Netanyahu faced strained relations with the Democratic Party. Many Democrats criticized his hardline stance on the Palestinian issue and allegations of corruption. These tensions were further heightened by Netanyahu’s repeated attempts to align himself with Republicans, giving the impression that he sought to influence US domestic politics. Additionally, former President Donald Trump expressed disappointment in Netanyahu for publicly congratulating Joe Biden on his 2020 election victory, viewing it as an act of disloyalty. This visit underscored not only Netanyahu’s efforts to strengthen US-Israeli ties but also highlighted the deep political divisions currently present within American society.

Netanyahu’s visit to the US had been planned well in advance, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts. A month prior, on June 22, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant traveled to Washington. He held meetings with senior US officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The discussions covered security concerns along the Lebanese border, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and its “third phase” that is supposed to follow the cessation of active hostilities in the enclave. The meetings also focused on defense cooperation between Israel and the US, a crucial element for the security of the Israeli state.

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The situation in Gaza remains complex, causing significant tension in US-Israeli relations. The Israeli military continues operations to neutralize the threat posed by Hamas, often drawing criticism from the international community and segments of the American public. The Biden administration seeks to balance support for Israel with the need to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, sometimes leading to disagreements between the two nations. Nevertheless, the US and Israel continue to actively collaborate in defense and intelligence, a vital aspect of their strategic partnership. However, issues surrounding peaceful resolution, and the protection of Palestinian civilians remain contentious topics, complicating diplomatic relations.

What does Netanyahu seek from Washington?

The objectives of Netanyahu’s visit extended far beyond those of his defense minister. Netanyahu aimed to use his meeting with Biden and an address before Congress to restore his image as a staunch defender of Israel and to strengthen his ties with the American political elite. His last visit to Washington, in September 2020, was marked by the signing of a peace agreement with the United Arab Emirates, a significant diplomatic achievement facilitated by then-President Donald Trump.

The scheduled meeting with Biden, however, was postponed due to the US president’s Covid-19 infection, with no new date set. Netanyahu’s agenda also included meetings with Vice President Kamala Harris, who is likely preparing for her presidential run, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Netanyahu also planned a meeting with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

The primary goal of the visit, as stated by Israeli officials, was to appeal to American lawmakers for bipartisan support for Israel in its conflict with the Palestinian movement Hamas and other adversaries, including Iran and the “axis of resistance.” Amid political instability in Washington, Netanyahu sought to secure the backing of the US as a key ally in confronting anti-Israel forces.

In his address to Congress, Netanyahu sought to avoid confrontation with the Biden administration and emphasized the importance of supporting Israel. Despite some Democrats expressing intentions to boycott the speech due to Israel’s actions in Gaza, and protests occurring outside the Capitol from both American activists and Israeli democracy supporters, Netanyahu received a warm welcome with standing ovations as he entered the chamber.

He began his speech by thanking all the participants and referring to the venue as the “citadel of democracy.” He then stated that the “Iranian axis of terrorism” opposes America, Israel, and their Arab friends, framing the conflict not as a clash of civilizations but as a battle of “barbarians against civilization,” and asserted that “the US and Israel must stand together.”

His speech was well-prepared, highlighting the “brutality” of Palestinian militant groups. Netanyahu brought with him members of the Israeli military fighting in Gaza, including representatives of the Ethiopian and Bedouin communities, to demonstrate that “Muslims, Christians, and Jews” are fighting together to defend Israel. He addressed the issue of civilian casualties, insisting that for Israel, “the loss of civilian life is a tragedy, while for Hamas, it is a strategy.” Netanyahu called for providing the Israeli Defense Forces with “the necessary tools” to achieve victory, implying a request for American military aid.

As expected, Netanyahu praised Biden and the Democrats for their friendship and support for democratic Israel, while also expressing gratitude to Trump and the Republicans for their support, including the recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory and Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

In summary, Netanyahu’s visit was aimed at securing support, resolving current disagreements between Washington and West Jerusalem, and ensuring backing from future US administrations. Additionally, this visit served to bolster Netanyahu’s position within Israel, sending a message to the Israeli public that he maintains strong “allied relations” with the US, despite recent pressures.

Times have changed

The visit took place in a markedly different political landscape compared to the previous one. His government, the most conservative in Israel’s history, has faced significant challenges, including the tragic events of October 7, which were the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Recent polls showed that 72% of Israelis want him to resign, either immediately or after the Gaza war is over. Despite the criticism and dissatisfaction, Netanyahu has retained power with a majority in the Knesset and avoided the threat of early elections.

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Netanyahu’s visit to Washington occurred against a backdrop of global and regional shifts that could potentially be historic. Tensions on Israel’s northern borders have escalated, with open conflict with Hezbollah becoming a daily reality as both sides exchange strikes. The “axis of resistance” also continues its attacks on Western military targets in the region and Israel, while another round of escalation has been observed between the IDF and the Yemeni Houthi movement, Ansar Allah.

The Houthis launched an attack on Tel Aviv with a new drone called Jaffa on the night of July 19, prompting Israel to strike various targets in the port city of Hodeidah, Yemen, according to the Israeli army’s press office. The growing external threats are making it increasingly difficult for Israel to maintain security, with Netanyahu stating before his departure to Washington that Jerusalem was currently engaged in military actions on “seven fronts.”

However, Israel itself has played a role in intensifying the situation. On July 18, the Israeli Knesset passed a resolution rejecting the creation of a Palestinian state, citing it as a threat to Israel’s existence and its citizens. The resolution argued that establishing such a state on the West Bank would perpetuate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and destabilize the region. The authors of the resolution also claimed it would reward terrorism, bolstering Hamas and other radical forces.

The resolution was supported by Netanyahu’s coalition parties, right-wing opposition parties, and the centrist National Unity party led by Benny Gantz. The left-centrist party Yesh Atid, headed by Yair Lapid, opposed the resolution, advocating for a two-state solution, and walked out of the session. This all unfolded as Netanyahu prepared for his US visit, fully aware that such a decision by the Knesset could strain US-Israel relations, given the Democratic Party’s support for a two-state solution.

Moreover, there were signs of progress in resolving disputes among various Palestinian factions. On July 23, 14 Palestinian factions concluded three-day talks in China, signing the Beijing Declaration on reconciliation. The document called for the formation of a temporary government of national unity under the PLO after the war’s end. Signatories included Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah. The main goal was to unite Palestinian institutions, hold general elections, and rebuild Gaza with support from Russia, China, and Algeria.

China, acting as a mediator, proposed a three-stage plan for resolving the Palestinian issue, including a ceasefire, reconstruction of Gaza, and full UN membership for Palestine. The Chinese side, represented by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, emphasized that Beijing had no selfish interests and supported the Palestinian people’s restoration of their legitimate rights. However, optimism about the implementation of the agreements under the Beijing Declaration should be tempered, as similar efforts in 2022 in Algeria remained on paper.

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Thus, Netanyahu’s visit to the US was crucial for the Israeli government and the future of Israel. The times have indeed changed. Russia and China are actively expanding their influence in the Middle East, while Israel’s main ally, the US, appears to be losing its grip. Iran and various anti-Israel forces are growing stronger, expanding their military capabilities, and the Palestinians seem to recognize the importance of uniting their efforts for a common future. Even within the US, the situation is not smooth, with Biden stepping out of the presidential race, an assassination attempt on Trump, and a lack of unity among Democrats regarding support for Kamala Harris as a candidate in the upcoming election.

The region has been in turmoil for ten months, with no end in sight to the ongoing conflict. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as the Houthi movement, are intensifying, and anti-government protests continue within the country. Unfortunately, these developments suggest that the Promised Land may be on the brink of its most challenging period since 1948. This sentiment was echoed by Netanyahu, as well as by Gallant during his own visit to Washington.

The US has been and will always remain Israel’s most important ally, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office, as the protection of “Israel's friends” is paramount. The recent US military transport flights over Turkey to Syria and Iraq indicate that Washington is preparing for a worsening situation. However, the strength of support will largely depend on the election campaign and the outcome of the presidential election. However, Netanyahu seeks to assure both Democrats and Republicans that “Israel and the US are allies forever.” The citizens of Israel must also understand the importance of Netanyahu, as only he can protect them, and no one else has such strong and enduring ties with Washington, which will also help Israel.