It is also worth noting that the meeting comes at a time when the Biden administration is seeking to re-engage with Iran on the nuclear deal. This has been a point of contention between the US and Israel, with Netanyahu strongly opposing the deal. The meeting may provide an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss their respective positions on Iran and find a way forward.
Furthermore, the meeting is significant in the context of the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. The region is facing a number of challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Syria, the rise of extremist groups such as ISIS, and the growing influence of Russia and China. The US and Israel have traditionally been key players in the region, and their relationship has been a cornerstone of US foreign policy. The meeting between Biden and Netanyahu is therefore an important opportunity to reaffirm this relationship and demonstrate a united front in the face of these challenges.
In conclusion, while the meeting between Biden and Netanyahu may not resolve all the issues between the US and Israel, it is an important step towards addressing the challenges facing the region and finding common ground on key issues. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the strong relationship between the two countries and demonstrate a united front in the face of the broader geopolitical challenges in the Middle East.
The administration of President Biden has expressed its dissatisfaction with the rapid expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which is widely regarded by the international community as a significant impediment to achieving peace with the Palestinians and a two-state solution to the long-standing conflict.
This announcement was made in response to appeals from Israeli artists and intellectuals, including prominent writer David Grossman and painter Tamar Getter, who urged the US president to avoid meeting with Netanyahu altogether.
In an open letter published last week and signed by 3,500 Israeli academics and public figures, it was stated that โsince the establishment of his extreme right-wing government, Netanyahuโs coalition has been working tirelessly to undermine the authority of the supreme court, silence the media, and dismantle the few checks and balances that protect the well-being of our nation.โ
The letter further asserted that โNetanyahu is inciting division among citizens, jeopardizing the security and economy of the country, and turning a blind eye to the historical conflict that is tearing Israel apart โ the forceful subjugation of the Palestinian people.โ
Earlier this month, the Israeli leader declared his intention to visit the United States, Israelโs unwavering ally, which provides the country with billions of dollars in military aid annually. However, it was initially peculiar that no meetings with US officials were announced, as it is customary for visiting Israeli prime ministers. Netanyahu, who spent his formative years between Jerusalem and the American city of Philadelphia, frequently touts his close ties to the US to bolster his platform both domestically and internationally.
Earlier this year, Biden stated that he had no immediate plans to meet with Netanyahu, but in July, his office announced that a meeting had been arranged. Netanyahuโs office promptly declared that he had been invited to meet with the President in the US, but the Biden administration pointedly refrained from using the term โinvitationโ and did not specify the location of the meeting.
The Presidentโs snub was highlighted when he welcomed Israelโs ceremonial President, Isaac Herzog, to the White House in July.
As per the report by Axios news site, the matter of extending an invitation to Netanyahu caused a division among Bidenโs advisors, culminating in a resolution to hold a meeting on the fringes of the UN general assembly on Wednesday. It was contended that a meeting at the White House would convey an endorsement and confer accolades upon the Israeli governmentโs policies.
Furthermore, Bidenโs team was disinclined to import Israeli politics and confront a throng of demonstrators outside the White House during the meeting, which would have resulted in grievances from the progressive faction of the Democratic party.
The possibility of a White House invitation has not been dismissed by the Biden administration before the conclusion of this year. This is due to their desire to utilize the invitation as a bargaining tool, contingent upon the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings regarding the judiciary in Israelโs supreme court.
Furthermore, the invitation serves as an incentive for Prime Minister Netanyahu to cooperate in a potential agreement aimed at normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. Such an accord would represent a significant political achievement for the Israeli leader. However, both Washington and Riyadh are endeavoring to persuade him to accept certain provisions of the agreement that would benefit the Palestinian people, which may include the transfer of West Bank territory to direct Palestinian governance.
Despite having known each other for decades, there exists no personal bond between Biden and Netanyahu. The US leader, however, frequently refers to himself as a โtrue friend of Israel.โ
Biden is well aware of Israelโs previous interventions in US politics in favor of Donald Trump. He has also expressed his view that the current Israeli cabinet is one of the most extreme he has seen in his long political career.
Nevertheless, Biden recognizes that completely freezing out an Israeli leader is not a wise electoral strategy in the US. Additionally, the two countries must be seen as standing together in the face of Iranโs nuclear program.
During his week-long visit, Netanyahu will also meet with leaders of the US Jewish community. Prior to arriving in New York, he is expected to visit San Francisco, where he will meet with tech industry leaders, including Elon Musk. The two are scheduled to discuss antisemitism on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
