Trump Hosts Netanyahu, but Not the Meeting Either Expected

Based on the campaign rhetoric relating to issues involving Israel, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the region, the first White House meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu must have been imagined by both men to be a joyous celebration of a pair of world leaders who overcame the odds, trampled tradition, each emerging as the last man standing atop his respective government. But when the president and premier meet on Wednesday, behind the warm and fuzzy photo op will be two men carefully probing and observing each other in order to fully understand the all-important differences between political perception and reality. Not even a presidential bear hug will mask Netanyahu’s nervousness as he tries to assess whether he truly got what he wished for: his political soulmate. With the US Embassy going nowhere anytime soon after all; and the euphoric anticipation of a free-hand in settlement construction is dissipating rapidly beneath statements acknowledging post-inaugural realities, the Israeli leader needs to discover the depth of the new president’s vision of brokering the “deal of all deals”: peace between Israel and the Arab states. If recent statements are any indication and the assignment of son-in-law/adviser Jared Kushner to head up the effort means what it appears to, many observers see a disappointed Netanyahu and his right-wing colleagues butting their heads against US policies that seem more like “Obama-lite” than the “Israel-is-right” theme of the campaign. Just as the plan to move the embassy devolved from a vow to “we’re studying it,” as of Wednesday, all bets are off as the two men learn how little they know about each other. Reports indicate the businessman-president has been doing his due diligence before plunging into partnership with Netanyahu, having asked for full briefings on the prime minister’s legal woes – the several criminal corruption investigations underway back home. Observers will be scrutinizing post-meeting body language and other possible indications of what transpired when the doors were closed and cameras turned-off.