What's happened
In a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Trump and Netanyahu addressed tensions over Gaza, disagreements on disarmament, and US support for Israeli actions. Trump expressed backing for Netanyahu and warned Iran, while both leaders signaled a united front despite underlying differences.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic Divergence on Gaza
Trump's approach favors moving beyond disarmament, focusing on long-term peace and normalization, while Netanyahu insists that disarmament is essential for stability. Trump's support for Netanyahu's pardon and threats against Iran signals a consolidation of US-Israel ties, but underlying disagreements on regional tactics persist.
Regional Implications
The meeting underscores the US's intent to back Israel's military posture, including potential strikes on Iran, despite international criticism. Trump's emphasis on Iran's nuclear threat and support for Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank suggest a shift towards more aggressive regional policies.
Political Dynamics
Netanyahu faces domestic political pressures, seeking US backing for concessions and military actions. Trump's praise and promises of support serve to bolster Netanyahu ahead of upcoming elections, while also signaling US willingness to intervene more directly in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Future Outlook
Expect continued US-Israel coordination on military and diplomatic fronts, with possible escalation in Iran and West Bank tensions. The disagreement over Gaza disarmament and regional stability strategies will likely influence upcoming peace efforts and US foreign policy in the Middle East.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that Trump and Netanyahu's meeting at Mar-a-Lago was portrayed as highly positive, with Trump praising Netanyahu and emphasizing their shared goals, despite earlier reports of tensions. The NY Post highlights Netanyahu's firm stance that Hamas must disarm and that no negotiations are possible while Hamas remains armed, with discussions on giving Hamas two more months to disarm. The New Arab notes signs of disagreement, especially over US policies in the West Bank and Iran, with Trump supporting a more aggressive stance and Netanyahu seeking concessions. All sources agree that the meeting aimed to reinforce US-Israel cooperation, but underlying regional disagreements remain unresolved, particularly regarding Iran and Palestinian territories.
How we got here
Recent negotiations over Gaza's ceasefire have been complicated by disagreements on disarmament and the future of Hamas. Trump and Netanyahu's meeting aimed to align strategies, with Trump supporting a broader approach that avoids detailed disarmament talks, contrasting Netanyahu's stance that no ceasefire can hold without credible threats of Israeli force. Tensions over US sanctions on Syria and Iran's nuclear ambitions also feature prominently, reflecting broader regional conflicts and US-Israel relations.
Go deeper
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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Mar-a-Lago ( MAR ə LAH-goh, Spanish: [ˈmaɾ a ˈlaɣo]) is a resort and National Historic Landmark on a barrier island in Palm Beach, Florida, United States. It spans 126 rooms and 62,500 square feet (5,810 square meters) built on 17 acres (7 hectares)