The competitive election campaign between the Republicans and the Democrats currently underway in the United States, which is likely to intensify in the coming months partly due to the pressures within the Democratic Party following President Biden’s failed appearance in the debate with Trump, requires Israel to exercise caution in taking steps that could be interpreted as interference in US internal affairs. This has nothing to do with the question of whether Biden will continue in the race or if a replacement is appointed.
Even if it seems now that Trump’s chances of winning have increased, it is still too early to determine the election results. Either way, Israel’s conduct in the coming months—and certainly if the actions it takes are interpreted by the Democrats as favoring Trump’s candidacy—will impact the party’s position toward it for years to come. Furthermore, Israel must not be perceived as trying to take advantage of the president’s weakness in order to expand the conflict with the US administration, particularly in the coming months when it must face severe challenges in the war in the Gaza Strip and the possibility of a deterioration on the northern front against Hezbollah, with Iran potentially deciding to expand its involvement.
Already today, Israel is facing increasing criticism from Democratic lawmakers regarding its conduct in the war and its willingness to confront the administration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned speech in front of a joint session of Congress will be held at a volatile time within the United States and during a period of extremely sensitive relations between the two countries. The interpretation that the administration and Democratic lawmakers give to the speech, and especially if it includes criticism of President Biden, could affect their position toward Israel in the near and long term.
Therefore, during his visit and particularly in his speech, it is recommended that Prime Minister Netanyahu refrains from statements and actions that could be interpreted as interference in the US elections and that could exacerbate the conflict with the Democratic Party. The speech is an opportunity, but it can also turn into a crisis with the administration. Therefore, it is recommended that the speech focus mainly on presenting a clear vision for a political strategy to deal with the consequences of the war in Gaza and the north, and on efforts to form a broad coalition with the moderate Arab countries against Iran and its axis of resistance as a central pillar in the day after the war, including the possibility of starting a normalization process with Saudi Arabia under American auspices in the coming months.
The competitive election campaign between the Republicans and the Democrats currently underway in the United States, which is likely to intensify in the coming months partly due to the pressures within the Democratic Party following President Biden’s failed appearance in the debate with Trump, requires Israel to exercise caution in taking steps that could be interpreted as interference in US internal affairs. This has nothing to do with the question of whether Biden will continue in the race or if a replacement is appointed.
Even if it seems now that Trump’s chances of winning have increased, it is still too early to determine the election results. Either way, Israel’s conduct in the coming months—and certainly if the actions it takes are interpreted by the Democrats as favoring Trump’s candidacy—will impact the party’s position toward it for years to come. Furthermore, Israel must not be perceived as trying to take advantage of the president’s weakness in order to expand the conflict with the US administration, particularly in the coming months when it must face severe challenges in the war in the Gaza Strip and the possibility of a deterioration on the northern front against Hezbollah, with Iran potentially deciding to expand its involvement.
Already today, Israel is facing increasing criticism from Democratic lawmakers regarding its conduct in the war and its willingness to confront the administration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned speech in front of a joint session of Congress will be held at a volatile time within the United States and during a period of extremely sensitive relations between the two countries. The interpretation that the administration and Democratic lawmakers give to the speech, and especially if it includes criticism of President Biden, could affect their position toward Israel in the near and long term.
Therefore, during his visit and particularly in his speech, it is recommended that Prime Minister Netanyahu refrains from statements and actions that could be interpreted as interference in the US elections and that could exacerbate the conflict with the Democratic Party. The speech is an opportunity, but it can also turn into a crisis with the administration. Therefore, it is recommended that the speech focus mainly on presenting a clear vision for a political strategy to deal with the consequences of the war in Gaza and the north, and on efforts to form a broad coalition with the moderate Arab countries against Iran and its axis of resistance as a central pillar in the day after the war, including the possibility of starting a normalization process with Saudi Arabia under American auspices in the coming months.