Netanyahu Scrambles for White House Support as Trump Ties Fray Before Israeli Election
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making yet another trip to Washington, desperate for a private meeting with President Donald Trump. The agenda—dominated by hawkish talk on Iran, regional militarization, and U.S. arms sales—underscores the dangerous entanglement of U.S. foreign policy with right-wing Israeli interests, as both leaders face mounting criticism and political uncertainty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington for his seventh visit since Trump took office, highlighting the unhealthy dependence of Israeli leadership on U.S. imperial power. Netanyahu, whose government has overseen aggressive policies against Palestinians and neighboring states, is seeking a private meeting with President Donald Trump to discuss escalating tensions with Iran, U.S. arms sales to Turkey, a potential Saudi nuclear deal, and a new long-term defense pact that would further entrench militarism in the region.
U.S. and Israeli officials admit Netanyahu has been lobbying for weeks to secure this White House invitation, exploiting the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham for diplomatic leverage. A senior administration official insists Trump maintains a "strong relationship" with Netanyahu, reinforcing the U.S. role as enabler of Israeli aggression against Iran and its nuclear ambitions.
The two leaders previously coordinated the initial strikes in the Iran war in February, a move that has only deepened instability and suffering in the region. Now, with the conflict stalled, their differences are surfacing. Netanyahu is expected to present more so-called intelligence on Iran’s nuclear and military rebuilding, while Trump, ever the political opportunist, appears hesitant to escalate before the U.S. elections.
Friction is also growing over Israel's ongoing military operations in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria. Trump, frustrated with Netanyahu’s refusal to scale back, reportedly told him that "everybody hates you now," a rare admission of the global outrage at Israel’s actions.
Other agenda items include Israel’s anxiety over U.S. plans to sell F-35 jets to Turkey, which could further destabilize the region, and fears that a U.S.–Saudi nuclear deal will trigger a new arms race. Trump, prioritizing arms profits and alliances with authoritarian regimes, insists he alone will decide on Turkish sales, calling Turkey a "tremendous ally."
Facing a tough re-election in October, Netanyahu is desperate for U.S. assurances that his militaristic agenda will be supported, even as it endangers regional security. The off-camera meeting, echoing their secretive February talks, threatens to set the stage for further conflict and deepen Israel’s isolation ahead of the election.