US Throws Weight Behind Netanyahu Ahead of Knesset Elections
Translated & summarized from Alarab by baba
US President Donald Trump declared his "full and unconditional support" for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Knesset elections, sparking controversy. Trump sent Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Israel, where he met Netanyahu and UAE officials at Ovda Air Base to discuss potential military action against Iran. The article questions Trump's definition of peace and Netanyahu's role in it, citing conflicts in Gaza and the West Bank.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- US President Donald Trump declared full and unconditional support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Trump sent Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Israel for an unannounced meeting with Netanyahu.
- The meeting at Ovda Air Base also included UAE officials and discussed potential action against Iran.
- The article questions Trump's claims of Netanyahu being a peacemaker, citing ongoing conflicts.
- Netanyahu is seeking a new mandate after leading Israel into multiple wars.
In a surprising move nine days before the Knesset elections, the US President declared his absolute and complete support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sparking significant controversy among the Israeli opposition. The US President stated on his Truth Social platform, "Let this message serve as a testament to my full and unconditional support for Bibi Netanyahu in the race to be re-elected Prime Minister of Israel." He added, "This is the model of partnership that the United States expects from Israel, a country to which it has given so much." Trump described Netanyahu as an "exceptional warrior" and an "exceptional partner in peacemaking." Netanyahu responded on the X platform, "Thank you, Mr. President Trump, for your tremendous support and our joint work. Together, we will get the job done."
The article questions Trump's reference to peace, asking where Netanyahu's peacemaking is evident, suggesting it might be in the destruction of Gaza or the occupation of the West Bank and southern Lebanon, and Syria. It also points out Netanyahu's status as wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Beyond statements, Trump dispatched US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Israel on an unannounced visit, revealed by Axios. Hegseth met with Netanyahu on Monday evening at Ovda military base in southern Israel to discuss the potential resumption of military operations against Iran and to affirm Trump's support. Yedioth Ahronoth reported the meeting was unusually long. Ovda base houses US refueling aircraft and fighter jets. Hebrew Channel 13 reported that UAE officials also participated in the secret meeting with Netanyahu, Hegseth, and Katz at Ovda Air Base, raising questions about the UAE's involvement.
Media reports suggest the US-Israeli preparations are linked to the possibility of resuming war with Iran. The article notes Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, is seeking a new mandate after leading the country into multiple wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and against Iran, and expanding Israeli control in the Syrian Golan, under the slogan "Changing the Middle East."
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