Israel’s Firm Alliance with the U.S.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will remain the United States’ most steadfast ally in the Middle East, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November. Netanyahu shared this sentiment before departing for Washington, where he is scheduled to address Congress.
This marks Netanyahu’s first visit to his primary international ally since assuming his sixth term as Prime Minister at the end of 2022. The visit is overshadowed by President Joe Biden’s recent announcement that he will not seek reelection.
Acknowledging Biden’s Support
Netanyahu plans to express gratitude to Biden for his enduring support for Israel. He intends to discuss critical issues, including the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, countering the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, and addressing threats from Iran and its proxies.
A tentative meeting with Biden is set for Tuesday, contingent on the 81-year-old president’s recovery from COVID-19. Netanyahu’s address to Congress is scheduled for Wednesday.
Reinforcing Bipartisan Support
Netanyahu stressed the importance of bipartisan support for Israel, stating, “I will tell my friends on both sides of the aisle that regardless of who the American people choose as their next president, Israel remains America’s indispensable and strong ally in the Middle East.” He emphasized the significance of demonstrating unity against common adversaries, saying, “In this time of war and uncertainty, it’s important that Israel’s enemies know that America and Israel stand together today, tomorrow, and always.”
Aiming to Reset Relations
Following months of strained relations with Washington over Israel’s actions in Gaza, Netanyahu’s visit presents an opportunity to reset ties. His Congressional address will likely focus on aligning U.S. and Israeli strategies in response to the volatile Middle East situation, with a particular emphasis on preventing the Gaza conflict from escalating into a broader regional war.
Netanyahu’s speech is expected to be more conciliatory than his 2015 address, where he criticized then-President Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran.
Addressing U.S. Pressure
The U.S. has urged Israel to resume talks for a political agreement with the Palestinians, threatening to withhold arms if progress isn’t made. This has contributed to perceptions in Israel of weakened ties with Washington under Netanyahu’s leadership. Domestic protests in Israel have also called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Yonatan Freeman, an international relations specialist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, commented, “Part of the goal is to try to show that with all that’s been said, with all the protests, Netanyahu is still the leader, still has support, he still has strong relations with America.”
Congressional Address and Public Perception
Netanyahu’s invitation to address a joint meeting of Congress, a rare honor typically reserved for the closest U.S. allies, was arranged by the House Republican leadership, who have criticized Biden for insufficient support of Israel.
Despite expectations of a warm reception in Congress, protests are anticipated outside, reflecting opposition to Israel’s offensive in Gaza and U.S. support for Israel. Activists plan to demonstrate at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, with police preparing for a large turnout.
International and Domestic Challenges
Internationally, Israel faces criticism for its actions in Gaza, which Gaza health authorities report have resulted in nearly 39,000 Palestinian deaths. Additional criticism has come from the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court regarding Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Domestically, Netanyahu faces pressure to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of 120 hostages held by Hamas. Calls for an inquiry into security failures before the October 7 attack, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and 250 abductions, are growing. Public opinion polls indicate that most Israelis hold Netanyahu responsible and would vote him out if elections were held.
Netanyahu will be accompanied by Noa Argamani, a hostage recently rescued by Israeli commandos. Her presence has sparked criticism from other hostage families, who feel Netanyahu has not done enough to secure their loved ones’ release.
