By conducting a high-profile visit to the United States at the height of the Israel-Palestine conflict, Netanyahu aimed to "raise support within Israel and to convince more Israelis to back him after his failure on Oct. 7," according to an Israel political watcher.
JERUSALEM, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel on Sunday after a week-long visit to Washington, amid mounting pressure at home to secure the release of over 100 hostages held in Gaza, but despite the high-profile trip, there appears to be little progress towards a deal, experts have said.
Netanyahu's agenda included addressing the U.S. Congress and meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. He also traveled to the state of Florida to meet former President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Before his departure, Netanyahu, accompanied by a few families of the hostages, declared that his visit to Washington was aimed at discussing with Biden "how to advance in the critical months ahead the goals that are important for both our countries: achieving the release of all our hostages and defeating Hamas."
"We're committed to bringing everyone back," Netanyahu emphasized after his address to Congress, adding that Israel is "engaged in very intensive efforts right now."
Nimrod Goren, president of the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, expressed uncertainty about Netanyahu's intentions, questioning whether he "genuinely seeks a deal or is merely stalling negotiations while putting forth additional conditions."
Netanyahu has recently toughened his stance, demanding the establishment of checkpoints along strategic roads between southern and northern Gaza and control over a border area with Egypt.
Eyal Zisser, vice rector at Tel Aviv University and an expert on Middle Eastern affairs, said he believes Netanyahu's primary objective was to garner domestic support. "Netanyahu aimed to raise support within Israel and to convince more Israelis to back him after his failure on Oct. 7," Zisser said.
Netanyahu has faced widespread criticism at home since the formation of his right-wing coalition, which included right-wing extremist leaders. A judicial overhaul plan promoted by his government triggered massive protests across the country. These demonstrations paused briefly after Hamas's surprise attack last October, but have since resumed, demanding a hostage release deal and early elections due to Netanyahu's failures.
"I do not foresee any dramatic change as a result of the trip," Zisser noted, adding that the "show" in Washington might still allow Netanyahu to reach a deal despite internal opposition.
Key far-right ministers in Netanyahu's coalition, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have strongly opposed any agreement with Hamas, and have threatened to quit the government if such a deal is signed.
However, the timing of Netanyahu's visit coincides with the Israeli parliament's summer recess, which lasts until Oct. 27.
Jonathan Rynhold, head of the Department of Political Studies at Bar Ilan University, suggested that this recess might provide a window of opportunity for Netanyahu to push for a deal without the immediate threat of his government collapsing. "He thinks that there's a good chance now of a deal over the hostages that can be done when the Knesset (parliament) is in recess," Rynhold said.
Yonatan Freeman, an international relations expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, highlighted the significance of the timing of Netanyahu's visit, given the current election season in the United States. "Israel wants to make sure that policies favorable to the Israeli position against Hamas are supported after the election," he explained.
In a recent column in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Yossi Verter, a senior political analyst, wrote that Netanyahu hopes to buy time until the U.S. elections, anticipating that a Trump victory would provide support for Israel to continue its onslaught in Gaza, unlike Biden and Harris, who have called on Israel to end the war.
However, Zisser is skeptical that the elections in the United States will affect the prospects of a ceasefire deal significantly. "Even Trump wants Netanyahu to reach a deal and finish the war," he said, though he cautioned that it is still too early to judge the outcome.
Goren echoed the sentiment that Netanyahu's visit was more about politics and messaging rather than substantial progress. "Netanyahu wanted to enhance American support for Israel and to prepare for potential international pressure and another escalation in the North (along the Israel-Lebanon border)," Goren explained. Enditem
(Nick Kolyohin from Jerusalem also contributed to the story.)■
