The most important takeaway from Netanyahu’s Washington trip may not have been any single statement or announcement, but that Israel still needs to persuade the US of its position.
It had been quite some time since a senior Israeli diplomatic official held such a lengthy and detailed background briefing. Nearly every question was answered, often at considerable length, while insisting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington was not another ceremonial meeting but a genuine strategic exchange between two leaders who know each other well. “It wasn’t about checking a box,” the official said. “It was an exchange of ideas.” According to the briefing, the discussion with President Donald Trump revolved around three possible paths regarding Iran: reaching a new agreement, maintaining the current economic blockade, or escalating military pressure. Each option, the official stressed, was examined objectively and “honestly.”
Yet beyond the substance of the briefing, there was another impression that was difficult to ignore: A sense of urgency, perhaps even unease. For months, Trump has publicly stated that he urged Netanyahu not to launch further strikes in Lebanon and that he would like to see Israel withdraw from parts of Syria. On several occasions, he has suggested that Washington and Jerusalem do not necessarily see eye-to-eye on every regional issue.
The senior official, as expected, blamed the media, arguing that journalists are often fed inaccurate, or even fabricated, information. But his own description of what Netanyahu chose to do inside the Oval Office suggested that Trump’s public remarks, and perhaps the assumptions held by those briefing him, were very much on the prime minister’s mind. The briefing left the clear impression that Netanyahu wanted to make sure Trump fully understood Israel’s position on Syria before those assumptions became entrenched.
According to the official, Netanyahu arrived at the Oval Office carrying maps. He showed Trump that Israel controls roughly 0.1% of Syrian territory, while Turkey controls about 5%, arguing that Israel’s limited presence is intended solely to prevent Iran, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist organizations from establishing themselves along its border. (Ed note: Just like previous administrations, will the Trump Administration in wanting to make a deal so much, again throw Israel under the bus?) (Read More)
