Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left for Washington on Monday to address the US Congress, just hours after American President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race.
The Israeli leader left a country amid a multi-front war that has lasted almost ten months and does not appear to be ending. On the cusp of what could be a hostage release deal with Hamas and in the aftermath of a massive Israeli airstrike against the Houthi rebels in Yemen over the weekend, Netanyahu will land in the American capital as the US is reeling from Biden’s dropped his political bombshell.
“I am traveling at a time when Israel is facing seven fronts, and there is political instability in Washington,” Netanyahu told reporters in Tel Aviv before boarding the plane to the US. “Regardless of who will be elected, Israel is the US’s most important ally in the Middle East.”
“I will meet with Biden, and this will be an opportunity to thank him for the assistance to Israel,” he added. “We will cooperate to release our hostages, defeat Hamas, and push back on the aggression of Iran’s axis of evil.”
The timing of Netanyahu’s speech, his fourth to Congress, was questioned even before the latest development. In Israel, some criticized him for leaving the country during such turmoil and critical timing of the hostage deal negotiations. In the US, he has been under increasing criticism for his handling of the war in Gaza, criticism that has come mainly from the more progressive wing of Biden’s Democratic party.
The main reason was the timing and height of an election campaign, the likes of which we haven’t seen probably any time in US history. This is now even more problematic given the decision by the president and could go south in any number of ways.
“It was laden with risk,” said Marc Zell, Vice President of Republicans Overseas and Chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel. “The main reason was the timing and height of an election campaign, the likes of which we haven’t seen probably any time in US history. This is now even more problematic given the decision by the president and could go south in any number of ways.”
“It could be seen first and foremost as an inappropriate interference in the US election process,” Zell added. “Given the complexity of the US electoral process, influential people on both sides of the political spectrum might consider this is not a time for a head of state to address Congress.”
For Israel, it is a decisive time as it faces numerous enemies simultaneously, requiring continuous American support.
The issues that are on the table are too great to postpone the trip. The relationship between Israel and the US, especially at this critical time, is extremely important, and the Prime Minister’s meeting with Biden is of significant importance regardless of the president’s announcement.
“The issues that are on the table are too great to postpone the trip,” said Ethan Kushner, chair of Democrats Abroad in Israel. “The relationship between Israel and the US, especially at this critical time, is extremely important, and the Prime Minister’s meeting with Biden is of significant importance regardless of the president’s announcement.”
Following Hamas’ surprise offensive against Israel in October, Biden set aside his previous differences with Netanyahu and moved to display immediate support for the Jewish state. In a visit to Tel Aviv just days after the attack, the American leader expressed solidarity with the Israeli people and vowed to continue the steady supply of arms and funds to Israel. The US also mobilized aircraft carriers to the region to deter Israel’s other foes from joining the war.
Currently, the US is behind intensive efforts to bring a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in an agreement that would secure the release of at least some of the Israeli hostages still being held by the terrorist organization.
This would not be the first time Netanyahu has delivered a contentious speech to Congress.
In a previous term, when Netanyahu faced President Barack Obama, there was a series of confrontations between the two that led to a souring of the personal relationship. Many believe this led to almost irreversible damage to the relationship between Netanyahu and the Democratic Party. The lowest point was in 2015 when Netanyahu addressed Congress regarding the Iranian nuclear deal after receiving an invitation from Republicans, circumventing the American president and breaching protocol.
“I hope the Israeli Prime Minister learns from his last performance, acknowledges the bi-partisan support for Israel, and does not take sides,” Kushner told The Media Line.
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers threatened to boycott his speech and large demonstrations are planned throughout Netanyahu’s visit.
According to Sharona Shir Zablodovsky, an expert on public policy, national security, and Israel-Diaspora relations at the Dvorah Forum, Netanyahu will be careful not to alienate any political side or audience.
Netanyahu will speak to American Jews and to Republicans and Democrats alike. He is very well versed in American politics, and he understands he needs to speak to as many audiences as possible and remain bi-partisan in an effort to make Israel as less contentious as possible despite the fact that it is at war.
“Netanyahu will speak to American Jews and to Republicans and Democrats alike,” she told The Media Line. “He is very well versed in American politics, and he understands he needs to speak to as many audiences as possible and remain bi-partisan in an effort to make Israel as less contentious as possible despite the fact that it is at war.”
As the war continued, tensions between the Netanyahu government and the White House resurfaced. Washington began to raise questions about Israel’s tactics and end-game strategy. Vice President Kamala Harris, who could replace Biden on the Democratic ticket, said it was important to distinguish between Israel’s leadership and its people. It was a retort to Netanyahu, an indication of Washington’s growing dissatisfaction with him. The critical statement was made as Harris warned Israel of a pending operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, one that the US believed would result in the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
Even before the war, the Democratic party has become increasingly critical of Israel, its policies towards the Palestinians, and Netanyahu’s attempts to reform the judiciary.
Netanyahu is expected to meet with both Biden and Harris. It is not yet clear if he will meet with Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump, with whom Netanyahu feels more comfortable.
The goals of the Israeli Prime Minister have not changed despite the turn of events. Netanyahu is looking to secure American support as Israel fights several fronts, including combatting the Iranian nuclear program. With some delays in the US’s armament supplies to Israel, the premier will want to make sure he irons out the differences with Washington ahead of what could be more intense fighting for Israel. But for Biden and the US, things have changed.
“There is no real reason for the speech to happen now,” said Zell. “Biden technically remains president of the United States but is probably the lamest duck president we have seen in recent history.”
American attention to developments in the Middle East is likely to decrease.
“The issues that are facing America in these upcoming elections are so tantamount to the essence of democracy,” said Kushner. “Israel is somewhere on the bottom of the list when it comes to the American public, not even a blip on the radar screen when it comes to deciding the identity of the next president of the US.”
Biden vowed to continue his work at the White House until the end of his term in January 2025.
With decisive matters at hand, at any other time, Netanyahu’s visit could have been a turning point in how the regional crisis is handled now, as the US finds itself preoccupied with an internal storm.
Biden’s withdrawal completely mixes up the cards and will see the US much more focused on internal affairs. For Israel and for the hostage deal release especially, this is not a good thing.
“Biden’s withdrawal completely mixes up the cards and will see the US much more focused on internal affairs,” said Shir Zablodovsky. “For Israel and for the hostage deal release especially, this is not a good thing.”
As the stakes are high, Netanyahu will have to tread carefully.