This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made his third official visit to Washington since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January—the most of any sitting world leader. The two discussed the contours of a potential cease-fire in Gaza, as well as their recent decision to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“Bibi is explaining his political needs to Trump and insisting they operate within them for a cease-fire,” said Thomas Friedman, the New York Times columnist, speaking on FP Live. “Now, what Trump is saying on the other side, I don’t know. But I covered Jim Baker, and he would be saying that any political needs are subordinate to America’s interests. America’s interests require a cease-fire right now. We want this war over. He would tell Bibi to figure out the politics of it and not come back until he has.”
But does Netanyahu even want a cease-fire? Not really, says Friedman. “Before the Gaza war started, hundreds of thousands of Israelis had, for nine months, dedicated every Saturday night to protesting against Netanyahu’s effort to basically suppress the Israeli Supreme Court. … That is why Bibi doesn’t want the war to end. Because he does not want an election.”
