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Plans remain unchanged, Netanyahu will go to the United States to walk a "political tightrope"

2024-07-22

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[Text/Observer Network Zhang Jingjuan] "Israel's Netanyahu walks a 'political tightrope' during his trip to Washington after Biden's withdrawal from the election." On July 21, the Associated Press reported with this headline that in the uncertain period after Biden announced his withdrawal, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will travel to Washington on July 22 local time in the United States and deliver a speech to the U.S. Congress on the 24th.

The Times of Israel quoted a source from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office as saying that Netanyahu is expected to depart from Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport at 9 a.m. local time on the 22nd. He will still meet with US President Biden during this trip, but the specific time has not been determined.

According to the Associated Press, a person familiar with Biden's schedule confirmed that Biden will receive Netanyahu at the White House, but the specific time of the meeting has not yet been determined because Biden is recovering from the new crown.

In addition to meeting with Biden, Netanyahu is also expected to meet with U.S. Vice President Harris, who is seeking and winning the Democratic presidential nomination. It is not clear whether Netanyahu will meet with former U.S. President Trump during this trip.

Before visiting the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made a surprise visit to the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah to inspect the Israeli troops stationed there. This was Netanyahu's first visit to the region since the Israeli army captured Rafah in May. Video screenshot

According to reports, Netanyahu's speech to Congress is full of challenges, and he needs to take into account the feelings of several audiences: his extreme nationalist ruling partners, which are the key to the survival of his regime; the Biden administration, which Netanyahu expects to provide diplomatic and military support; and the Republican Party, if Trump is re-elected in the presidential election in November this year, the two sides may restart relations.

Netanyahu's ruling coalition is made up of extreme nationalist and religious parties. His decisions during the war were not based on national interests, but political considerations. Because if one of the parties opposed to the agreement withdraws from the coalition, the government led by Netanyahu may fall. In his speech, his far-right ruling partners hope to hear Netanyahu's determination to persist in the war and overthrow Hamas.

The Biden administration expects Netanyahu to make progress on the latest U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal and provide details on his post-war vision. Republicans want Netanyahu to stand against Biden and enhance the party's image as a staunch supporter of Israel.

This will be Netanyahu's fourth speech to the U.S. Congress, following speeches in 1996, 2011 and 2015. The Associated Press believes that Netanyahu could easily anger one of the audience members if he is not careful during his speech, and he cannot afford this risk if he wants to maintain his tenuous control over power. However, this speech at least provides Netanyahu with an opportunity to show the Israelis that the United States' support for him remains unchanged.

"He wants Israelis to believe that he is still very popular in the United States and that Americans support him," said David Makovsky, director of the Arab-Israeli Relations Project at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Netanyahu addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress in March 2015. Associated Press

It is worth mentioning that Netanyahu’s invitation to speak at the US Congress caused a boycott by US senators.

U.S. nonpartisan Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont previously issued a statement saying that Israel has committed serious war crimes against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and that the U.S. Congress should not invite a "war criminal" to give a speech, which would be an extremely "sad day" for the United States.

In addition to Sanders, several Democratic lawmakers, including U.S. Representatives Hank Johnson, Maxwell Frost and Jan Schakowsky, have said they may not attend Netanyahu's speech.

Netanyahu will reportedly travel to the United States with Chinese-Israeli hostage Noa Argamani and his father, who were rescued last month.

It is reported that Netanyahu's visit is an insult to many families of the hostages.

"Now is not the time to travel, Netanyahu: first reach a ceasefire agreement, then you can travel," Shahar, whose daughter is being held captive, told reporters.

This article is an exclusive article of Observer.com and may not be reproduced without authorization.