Bibi seeks validation in his visit to a turbulent D.C.

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios

2 hours ago


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu arrives in Washington on Monday, right into an unprecedented storm in American politics.

Why it matters: It will be Netanyahu's first visit to Washington in almost four years, and his first trip abroad since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel that led to the war in Gaza.

More than 38,000 Palestinians and more than 1,500 Israelis have been killed in the war that has made Netanyahu a particularly controversial figure in the U.S. and created divisions within the Democratic Party.

Netanyahu hopes his visit will reassert his leadership both in the U.S. and back home in Israel. But his arrival comes as most of his counterparts on both sides of the Atlantic are interested in one thing: Who will be the Democratic nominee for president in the Nov. 5 election.

Netanyahu wants to use his visit to the White House on Tuesday — and his speech to Congress on Wednesday — to rehabilitate both his tarnished image as "the protector of Israel," and as the Israeli politician with the most power and influence in the U.S.

State of play: Netanyahu's last visit to Washington was in September 2020, when he came to the White House as a strong and relatively popular leader of a center-right unity government to sign a peace agreement with the United Arab Emirates.

That deal was brokered by then-President Trump.
Now Netanyahu will visit as a weakened and highly unpopular leader of the most conservative government in Israel's history.

It's a government that has seen the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust take place on its watch.

In Israel, a recent Channel 12 poll indicated that 72% of Israelis want him to resign, either now or after the war. Just 30% said they think he's the person most fit to be prime minister.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/07/22/benjamin-netanyahu-washington-dc-visit-biden-israel

[no_hypocrisy]

1. And likely Bibi will have to meet with Kamala Harris.

This should be interesting.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. And her hubby

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Good point. Let Bibi try to claim that Doug Emhoff isn't truly a Jew.

[maxsolomon]

9. Why would he bother doing that?

Has he been going around questioning critic's Jewishness?

[Mister Ed]

4. So he's actually going to visit the White House, eh?

Do I remember correctly that he once snubbed Obama by coming to the U.S. at the invitation of Republican Speaker Boehner, speaking only to the House of Representatives and eschewing any meeting with the President?

[Magoo48]

5. Send him home with an ear full of protest and a boot print on his ass. With all due respect and pomp of course.

[Ladythatvotesblue]

7. BiBi

Your boot or mine?

[LiberalFighter]

6. Visiting the US will not improve his image

[Hikerchick57]

8. Netanyahu's won't be able to manipulate VP Harris like he does Biden. I would like to see aid reduced

and/or conditions attached.

[maxsolomon]

10. How does he maniupulate Biden?

Steadfast, unwavering support for Israel has been US Policy for nearly 80 years.

[Hikerchick57]

11. A blank check to taxpayers money with no conditions has to change.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

12. Former Israeli chiefs of staff and Mossad directors-"Netanyahu poses an existential threat to the State of Israel"

Bibi has to stay in power to keep from being tried for numerous crimes. Bibi is prolong the conflict in Gaza for his own purposes

Link to tweet