Before President Barack Obama took office in 2009, Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas for guidance on engaging with the Democratic Party. Netanyahu expressed his need for an intermediary, stating, “I speak Republican and you speak Democratic.” This interaction highlighted Netanyahu's self-perception as aligned with the neoconservative wing of the Republican Party.
As Netanyahu prepares to meet President Trump at the White House, he is once again aligning with his preferred political party. The contrast between the Trump administration and the Biden administration is evident, particularly regarding military actions in Gaza and judicial reforms in Israel. While Biden sought to impose restrictions on Netanyahu's military campaign, the Trump administration has not made similar demands.
Natan Sachs, director of the Center for Middle East Policy, noted that concerns previously raised by the Biden administration regarding humanitarian aid and civilian casualties are no longer being articulated. The upcoming discussions between Trump and Netanyahu will address tariffs, the ongoing war in Gaza, relations with Turkey, Iran, and the International Criminal Court.
Netanyahu emphasized the significance of his meeting with Trump regarding tariffs, stating that he is the first international leader to address this issue with the U.S. president. He highlighted the personal and diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Israel.
Despite a long history between Biden and Netanyahu, including mutual respect, their relationship has been complicated by Biden's frustrations over Netanyahu's judicial reforms and military actions in Gaza. Biden expressed concerns about Israel's international reputation, referring to it as a "rogue state."
In contrast, the Trump administration has been more supportive of Israel's military actions, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that those who threaten both Israel and the U.S. will face severe consequences. Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in significant casualties, raising fears of a return to all-out war.
Netanyahu and Trump share a common stance against their respective judicial systems, criticizing judges who oppose their policies. Elliott Abrams from the Council on Foreign Relations noted that there is greater trust from Israel towards the Trump administration compared to Biden's, which is viewed as more restrained.
While Trump and Netanyahu have experienced tensions, particularly over Netanyahu's congratulatory message to Biden after the 2020 election, Netanyahu views Trump’s presidency as beneficial for Israel. During Trump's first term, he made significant moves, such as relocating the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and supporting Israel's territorial claims.
Trump's controversial proposal to displace the Palestinian population of Gaza was met with widespread condemnation but found support among right-wing Israelis. Netanyahu's alignment with Trump grants him leverage as negotiations continue between Israel and Hamas regarding hostages and cease-fire agreements.
Steven Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy, has been involved in cease-fire discussions, sending a warning to Hamas before airstrikes commenced. As the conflict escalates with Trump's backing, experts suggest that the Trump administration will now bear responsibility for the war, marking a shift in U.S.-Israel relations.