JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett heads to Washington today for talks with United States President Joe Biden, seeking to “reset” relations with Israel’s closest ally and reach common ground on arch-foe Iran.
In his first state visit since taking office in June, Bennett will meet Biden on Thursday and attempt to mend ties with America’s top Democrat, which were strained under former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused of openly favouring the Republican party.
“Right now the biggest transaction taking place between the two countries is a refresh and a reset of bilateral relations,” Scott Lasensky, former president Barack Obama’s senior policy advisor on Israel, said.
Netanyahu alienated Democratic leaders through his relentless public criticism of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers negotiated by the Obama administration, in which Biden served as vice president.
Netanyahu’s tight embrace of Obama's successor – president Donald Trump, whom he repeatedly called “the best friend” Israel ever had in the White House -- further rankled Biden’s party.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid hinted at a new approach when he met his US counterpart Antony Blinken in June.
“In the past few years, mistakes were made. Israel’s bipartisan standing was hurt. We will fix those mistakes together,” Lapid said. – AFP, August 24, 2021
