Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Washington, vowing to keep Israel as America’s strongest ally in the Middle East, regardless of the impending U.S. election results.
What Happened: Netanyahu is slated to address the U.S. Congress during his visit. This marks his first U.S. trip since his record sixth term as Prime Minister commenced in late 2022. The visit coincides with President Joe Biden‘s decision not to run for re-election.
“I will tell my friends on both sides of the aisle that regardless who the American people choose as their next president, Israel remains America’s indispensable and strong ally in the Middle East,” he told reporters before taking off.
Netanyahu intends to thank Biden for his support to Israel and discuss pivotal issues, including the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, countering Hamas, and confronting Iran and its proxies in the region. A meeting with Biden is tentatively planned for Tuesday, provided the President recovers from Covid-19.
The visit by Netanyahu provides a chance to mend relations with Washington following months of strain over Israel’s Gaza offensive. His Congress speech is anticipated to center on aligning the Israeli and US response to the unstable situation in the Middle East.
Netanyahu’s visit is significant as Israel grapples with global isolation due to its Gaza campaign and the expansion of settlement-building in the occupied West Bank. Outside official Washington, Netanyahu may face a hostile reception, with protests scheduled at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
Netanyahu is under domestic pressure to stop the Gaza conflict and secure the return of 120 hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. His U.S. visit is accompanied by Noa Argamani, a hostage rescued by Israeli commandos last month, a move that has drawn criticism from other hostage families.
Why It Matters: Just days before Netanyahu’s visit, Israeli forces intensified their operations in the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 21 deaths. This escalation in violence adds to the already tense situation.
Furthermore, the Biden administration has reportedly sent a substantial amount of munitions to Israel, including over 10,000 highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles, since the commencement of the Gaza war in October.
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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari
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