What is Netanyahu Doing on His Visit to the United States?

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embarked on a significant visit to the United States, he highlighted its critical timing, stating, "I'm leaving this morning on a very important trip to the United States. At a time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts and when there's great political uncertainty in Washington."

Netanyahu's visit, which commenced on Monday and is set to extend through the end of the week, takes place against a backdrop of turmoil in both nations.

Biden’s Withdrawal

In the United States, the political landscape is marked by upheaval following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

This development, coupled with the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13, has cast a doubting trend over domestic affairs.

Netanyahu's trip, initially anticipated to address the ongoing crisis and potentially resolve the impasse regarding an exchange agreement with the Palestinian resistance, is competing for attention amid the political maelstrom unleashed by Biden's withdrawal.

Despite this distraction, the visit remains crucial, set against a backdrop of intense conflict and instability in the Middle East.

The Israeli war on Gaza, now in its tenth month, has resulted in over 40,000 casualties, underscoring the high stakes of any diplomatic engagement.

This visit marks Netanyahu's first visit to Washington since forming his right-wing government in December 2022, and his first international trip since the onset of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7.

Political researcher Tariq Bodyafa says that the visits occur amidst strained relations between Netanyahu's administration and the Biden administration, particularly over the handling of the Gaza war.

“Biden, who had hoped to leverage a resolution to the conflict for political gain ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, faces increasing criticism over his Middle East policy,” Bodyafa said.

“Meanwhile, Netanyahu's reluctance to advance negotiations appears aimed at undermining Biden's position,” he added.

In response, the White House has reconsidered certain arms shipments to Tel Aviv and weighed sanctions against key Israeli officials, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, signaling discontent.

This has sparked backlash from Netanyahu's government, with the far-right faction accusing the US of undermining “Israel's” security.

According to Bodyafa, Netanyahu arrives in Washington without signaling any flexibility or goodwill towards concluding a deal with Hamas, having postponed the dispatch of the Israeli negotiating delegation to Doha.

This postponement, perceived by some as a deliberate delay, reflects Netanyahu's firm stance on the matter.

Differing Perspectives

The unexpected announcement of Biden's electoral withdrawal has further complicated Netanyahu's visit, introducing an element of unpredictability that the Prime Minister himself described as "political uncertainty."

“This new dynamic is likely to influence the agenda and potential outcomes of the visit, including the prospects for an exchange agreement with Hamas,” Bodyafa noted.

According to the original schedule, Netanyahu was set to depart on Sunday, the 21st of this month, and meet Biden the following day.

However, the meeting was postponed due to President Biden contracting COVID-19, resulting in Netanyahu traveling on Monday instead.

Hebrew media outlets, such as the Walla website, report that today's meeting with Biden may face further delays due to the president's illness.

A senior official from Netanyahu's delegation, who requested anonymity, indicated that the Israeli prime minister is still awaiting confirmation from the White House regarding the revised schedule.

The agenda is also expected to include a meeting between Netanyahu and Vice President Kamala Harris, following Biden's endorsement of her candidacy for the upcoming election.

This encounter is anticipated to be contentious given the differing perspectives on numerous issues, with Israelis often viewing Harris as an updated version of Barack Obama.

Netanyahu is also hoping to meet with former President Donald Trump, the current Republican candidate. Walla reports that Netanyahu has been making efforts to mend relations with Trump in recent weeks.

According to Politico, teams from both sides have recently discussed a potential joint meeting.

While Trump has not yet agreed to it, he has not rejected the idea either. If it happens, the meeting would likely occur later in the week, following Trump's rally in North Carolina on Thursday, July 25.

For the fourth time, Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress. This speech is of paramount importance to the Israeli Prime Minister, arguably surpassing his other engagements with Biden, Trump, and Harris.

Netanyahu used this platform to reaffirm his leadership and to rebuild his image, which has suffered due to the Al-Aqsa flood Operation and his failure to achieve the Israeli aggression’s objectives.

According to Walla, Netanyahu intends to leverage his speech to reestablish his influence in the United States and to strengthen his political standing in the Israeli occupation.

In a statement made before his departure from Ben Gurion Airport, Netanyahu emphasized the significance of bipartisan support for the Israeli occupation.

He declared, "On this visit, I will address both houses of Congress for the fourth time as Prime Minister of Israel. In my speech, I will highlight the importance of bipartisan support for Israel and remind our friends from both parties that Israel remains the most crucial ally of the United States in the Middle East."

Biden's withdrawal from the electoral race undeniably impacts Netanyahu's visit and its potential outcomes, particularly regarding a possible exchange agreement with Hamas. Analysts are divided on the implications of this development.

One perspective, as articulated by Nahum Barnea in Yedioth Ahronoth, suggests that Biden's electoral exit reduces the pressure on Netanyahu to reach an agreement.

Barnea argues that the significance of the Netanyahu-Biden meeting is now limited, with both leaders looking beyond their immediate concerns to the future political landscape.

Similarly, Anna Barsky of Maariv believes Netanyahu will encounter a different, more disengaged Biden, focused on ending his career gracefully rather than prioritizing foreign affairs.

Conversely, some believe Biden's withdrawal may allow him to exert more pressure on Netanyahu to secure a deal with Hamas, potentially using it to bolster the Democratic position in the upcoming elections.

Hasan Ayoub from An-Najah University notes that this new reality forces Netanyahu to consider dealing with a Democratic president who may adopt policies reminiscent of Barack Obama's administration.

Michael Mulroy, a former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, concurs that Biden, unburdened by electoral concerns, will likely focus on foreign policy, with the Gaza war being a primary issue.

Amid this political uncertainty in the US, coupled with Netanyahu's adherence to his right-wing base, it is unlikely that this visit will yield significant progress towards an agreement with Hamas.

The evolving situation in the American political arena will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Israeli war on Gaza.