Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington, D.C., on Monday for a visit during a time of political turbulence in both Israel and the United States.
During his trip, Netanyahu is expected to deliver a speech to Congress on Wednesday and meet with President Joe Biden on Thursday, according to a report from the Associated Press (AP). Per the report, the Israeli leader will hold separate talks with Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday.
Former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Netanyahu will also make a stop at Mar-a-Lago on Friday.
Netanyahu’s arrival comes on the heels of a series of significant political events in the U.S., including a failed assassination attempt on Trump on July 13, and Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race and endorse Harris as his replacement.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Tuesday for comment.
ABIR SULTAN/POOL/AFP/Getty Images
What We Know
Israel is currently at the nine-month mark of its war against Hamas, which began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 people hostages, per the Israeli government. About 120 remain held, about a third of them believed to be dead, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel subsequently launched its heaviest-ever airstrikes in Gaza. More than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, the AP said. The rising death toll has led to international calls for a ceasefire, and heavy division over the conflict remains in the U.S.
Biden could aim to focus his talk with Netanyahu on negotiating a hostage-release and cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas, which National security adviser Jake Sullivan indicated at a security conference in Colorado last week.
According to the AP, Biden expressed optimism of a deal as he spoke to campaign staffers on Monday, reportedly saying: “I think we’re on the verge” of ending the war.
However, the AP also reported that before he departed Israel for the U.S., Netanyahu pointed towards his intent to discuss continuing the conflict with Hamas and confront other Iran-backed groups, along with addressing the release of hostages.
After arriving to the U.S., Netanyahu met with families of hostages held in Gaza and said that a deal to secure the hostages’ release could be near.
Speaking on Monday to U.S. families of hostages, he said: “The conditions [for a deal] are undoubtedly ripening. This is a good sign. Unfortunately, it will not take place all at once; there will be stages. However, I believe that we can advance the deal.”
Divisive Reactions and Protests
Netanyahu’s visit has sparked significant controversy in the U.S., and the AP reported that protests are planned for Netanyahu’s speech to Congress on Wednesday.
The planned protests outside the Capitol are expected to include both demonstrators condemning the Israeli military campaign as well as others expressing support for Israel.
According to the AP, the largest protest could see at least 5,000 participants and is set for Wednesday morning with organizers planning to march around the Capitol building demanding Netanyahu’s arrest on war crimes charges.
Meanwhile, lawmakers such as Senate Pro Tempore Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat who was expected to sit behind Netanyahu at the address, is among the lawmakers declining to attend the prime ministers speech. Some lawmakers they will skip the speech to instead spend time with the families of those held by Hamas, the AP said.
Netanyahu can expect to find supporters in the halls of Congress, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who helped facilitate Netanyahu’s address and is expected to highlight Republican support for the Israeli leader.
Washington on Alert
Security has been heightened in the nation’s capital in response to Netanyahu’s visit and in anticipation of protests. This includes with fencing being placed around the Capitol and Netanyahu’s hotel.
The Metropolitan Police Department has also announced increased police presence during the prime minister’s visit and extensive street closures.The Secret Service, which has recently been under scrutiny following security lapses in the attack on Trump, is also on high alert.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.