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Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday. This marks their first in-person meeting in several years, as both leaders seek to enhance their political standing amid significant challenges.
Trump, who is 78 years old, greeted Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, expressing that any rumored rift between them was unfounded. “It was never bad,” Trump remarked, asserting that their relationship had always been strong.
Political analysts suggest that both Trump and Netanyahu approached the meeting with their political ambitions in mind, especially as Netanyahu faces increasing scrutiny over the ongoing conflict with Hamas, while Trump aims to reclaim the presidency. Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted, “The significance of this moment isn’t solely about what’s been accomplished; it’s more about the perception it creates.”
Footage from the meeting showed Trump first greeting Sara Netanyahu, followed by a handshake and a hug with her husband. The trio posed for a photograph on the estate’s steps, with Trump striking a playful pose.
Since their last face-to-face encounter in 2020, during which Netanyahu congratulated Joe Biden on his electoral victory, the relationship has experienced turbulence. Jon Allen, a former Canadian ambassador and senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs, pointed out Trump’s previous criticisms of Netanyahu, particularly regarding his support during the disputed 2020 election. Allen noted that Trump’s recent remarks about the Gaza conflict have also been unexpectedly critical.
Following their conversation, Trump pressed for the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Netanyahu stated that negotiations for a ceasefire were ongoing, expressing hope for a resolution: “We’re certainly eager to have [a deal] and we’re working on it.”
Netanyahu’s visit to Mar-a-Lago concluded a significant trip to the U.S., which included a notable address to Congress and meetings with President Biden and Vice-President Harris.
As the election date approaches, Trump is keen to connect with Jewish voters, a demographic that has historically leaned Democratic. Matt Grossmann, director at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University, commented that Trump has had a mixed stance on the conflict but has maintained a pro-Israel position. “He appears to align himself with Netanyahu and often criticizes the Biden administration for not showing enough support for Israel,” Grossmann added.
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Grossmann also mentioned that Trump has attempted to leverage the sentiments of Arab-American voters dissatisfied with Biden’s handling of the conflict, even engaging in rallies where attendees voiced criticisms against the President.
However, while the optics of the meeting are significant, Trump’s ability to effect policy changes remains limited. Under U.S. law, private citizens may not negotiate international disputes without government authority, although they are free to meet with foreign officials.
Netanyahu’s U.S. visit was positioned as an effort to forge a ceasefire in Gaza, but analysts emphasize that the focus was more on political survival for both leaders. Miller pointed out, “This was about the politics facing Netanyahu at home and aligning with American Republicans, rather than about actual policy negotiations or plans for the Middle East.”
In the context of his discussions with U.S. leaders, Netanyahu faced criticism from Harris over the human toll of the conflict, to which Trump later reacted by calling her remarks inappropriate. He expressed bewilderment over how Jewish individuals could support the Democratic Party.
Overall, this meeting between Trump and Netanyahu highlights the intertwining of personal relationships and political strategies as both leaders navigate complex domestic and international landscapes.
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www.cbc.ca