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article 2.9.5 Netanyahu heads to US for pivotal Trump talks
Before departing, Netanyahu called it "telling" that he would be the first foreign leader to meet Trump since his inauguration.
"I think it's a testimony to the strength of the Israeli-American alliance," he said.
After Hamas's Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Trump's predecessor Joe Biden had maintained military and diplomatic support for Israel.
But the Biden administration also distanced itself over the mounting death toll from Israel's ensuing war in Gaza and delays to aid deliveries.
Soon after returning to the White House, he reportedly approved a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, which the Biden administration had blocked, and lifted sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of violence against Palestinians.
After the ceasefire took effect in Gaza last month following 15 months of war, Trump touted a plan to "clean out" the Palestinian territory, calling for Palestinians to move to neighbouring countries such as Egypt or Jordan.
Trump officials have warned that "renewed fighting in the Middle East would distract the new Trump team from addressing what Trump defines as more pressing priorities", the New York-based Soufan Center said.
Netanyahu will face a president determined to push his own agenda when the pair meet on Tuesday
Trump officials have warned that "renewed fighti
ng in the Middle East would distract the new Trump
team from addressing
what Trump defines as more
pressing priorities", the
New York-based Soufan Center said.
These include "securing the southern US border from
illegal migration and settling the Russia-Ukraine war"
, the think tank said.
Beyond that, "Trump wants to reorient his priorities to
wards Asia-Pacific", said David Khalfa, a
researcher at the Jean Jaures Foundation in Paris
This video is playing in picture-in-picture
Trump officials have warned that "renewed fighting in the Middle East would distract the new Trump team from addressing what Trump defines as more pressing priorities", the New York-based Soufan Center said.
These include "securing the southern US border from illegal migration and settling the Russia-Ukraine war", the think tank said.
Beyond that, "Trump wants to reorient his priorities towards Asia-Pacific", said David Khalfa, a researcher at the Jean Jaures Foundation in Paris.
"He believes, as did his predecessors, that he must stabilise the region first and create an anti-Iran coalition with his strategic partners," including Israel and Saudi Arabia, he sa
