After the "killer applause" ceremony at the Joint Session of the U.S. Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also a presidential candidate. Netanyahu also had a meeting with the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, on Friday. Reports suggest that Harris has been more vocal about the ceasefire and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza compared to Biden. Netanyahu was reportedly quite uncomfortable with Harris's statements
After the "killer applause" ceremony at the Joint Session of the U.S. Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also a presidential candidate. Netanyahu also had a meeting with the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, on Friday.
Reports suggest that Harris has been more vocal about the ceasefire and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza compared to Biden. Netanyahu was reportedly quite uncomfortable with Harris's statements following their meeting. Rumors indicate a stark contrast between Harris's private conversation with Netanyahu and her public remarks, leaving Netanyahu unprepared for her criticism.
Biden’s controversial Gaza policy has cast a shadow over Harris as well. Nevertheless, Harris stands out as the first Biden administration official to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza. She has expressed understanding for the American students protesting against Israel. Harris is more responsive to pressures from her party’s young base and the “Progressive Left” in Congress, compared to Biden, particularly regarding halting arms shipments to Israel and advocating for a ceasefire.
Harris has emphasized her unwillingness to remain silent on the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. However, she has not specified what actions or policies this stance might translate into regarding Israel. It remains to be seen if President Biden will implement a policy to strengthen Harris’s position before the November elections. A permanent ceasefire and a hostage agreement in Gaza would ease Harris's situation more than Netanyahu's.
Netanyahu's relationship with former President Barack Obama was not smooth, especially after House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell invited Netanyahu to Congress in 2015 without notifying the White House, angering the Democrats. Netanyahu’s contentious speech to Congress aimed to undermine Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran in collusion with the Republicans.
The four years of Trump's presidency were like "golden years" for Netanyahu, who received everything he wanted from Trump. Despite losing the 2020 presidential election and alleging fraud, Trump could not accept Netanyahu congratulating Biden. Trump, who hadn't met Netanyahu face-to-face since 2020, finally agreed to a meeting on Friday. The day before, Trump expressed his anticipation for the meeting and his hopes for peace in the Middle East.
If Trump loses the election, his career could end, and Netanyahu is already in a precarious position. Both fear losing and need each other desperately. Details of their conversation remain unknown, and Trump did not elaborate on his plans for establishing peace. Both Trump and Harris seem to offer only vague hopes.
For both Republicans and Democrats, the November elections are pivotal. Both sides are fighting fiercely to win. Undoubtedly, Netanyahu hopes for Trump’s victory. But what might Trump and Netanyahu have asked from each other? What schemes might Netanyahu employ to see Harris lose? Will Netanyahu sabotage the Biden-Harris administration’s ceasefire efforts or aim to regionalize the conflict?
Netanyahu, desperate to maintain power, is likely to resort to any means, including escalating the war. Should Biden commit to cutting off arms and financial support to Israel, Netanyahu might not risk a new war. However, if the Biden administration loosens its reins on Netanyahu, a major conflict that could draw in the U.S. looms large.
If the underlying intent of the American establishment is to open the gates to a significant war in the region rather than control Israel, then all discussions are futile. Once those gates open, the course and duration of the conflict will be beyond anyone's control. Everything will unfold as it must.
