Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington on Monday, aiming to bolster bipartisan support for Israel in the US Congress amid the ongoing Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to reporters before his departure, Netanyahu stated he would address both houses of Congress “at a time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts and when there’s great political uncertainty in Washington.”
Netanyahu’s visit comes as efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and the US continue to establish a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, amid concerns about the conflict potentially spreading to Lebanon and Yemen.
Additionally, the US is in the throes of a contentious election campaign, and Netanyahu’s speech may influence political dynamics on both sides, especially with US President Joe Biden’s decision Sunday to drop out of the race for president, as the choice of a replacement Democratic nominee — and the potential next American leader — are still up in the air.
Regardless of the upcoming US presidential election outcome, Netanyahu emphasised that “Israel remains America’s indispensable and strong ally in the Middle East.”
Netanyahu plans to meet with Biden, who announced on Sunday that he would not be seeking re-election. Netanyahu expressed his intention to thank Biden for over 40 years of friendship and his support for Israel during the ongoing conflict.
He also plans to seek further backing for Israel’s position in the ceasefire negotiations with Hamas and to secure US defence commitments against potential attacks from Iran’s allies in the region.
“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,” Netanyahu said.
The visit occurs against a backdrop of increasing domestic criticism of Netanyahu for his handling of the conflict and the failure to secure the release of approximately 120 hostages still held in Gaza since the war began on October 7 of last year.
On Sunday, thousands of families of hostages and supporters blocked several entrances to Ben Gurion International Airport and held a rally in Tel Aviv, urging Netanyahu to accept a proposed deal and to resign.
According to Axios, Netanyahu has been attempting to repair relations with former President Donald Trump. Netanyahu’s aides are concerned that relations may not be as strong if Trump wins the upcoming election, as they were during his first term. Netanyahu’s allies have met with Trump on at least four occasions over the past three years to mend ties, which soured after Netanyahu congratulated Biden on his 2020 election victory.
“One [aide] went so far as to bring a copy of Netanyahu’s book to Mar-a-Lago and read passages praising Trump,” an aide disclosed to Axios.
