Political analyst Omar Baddar discusses Netanyahu's controversial Congress address, US reactions, protests, and shifting policies on Israel-Palestine. Highlights include GOP using Netanyahu as a wedge issue, Dem criticisms, motivations behind Gaza conflict, and voter dilemmas amidst US involvement.
Netanyahu's declining support in the U.S. reflects a shift in American sentiment towards his policies regarding Palestine.
Differing reactions from U.S. officials like Kamala Harris and Joe Biden towards Netanyahu's visit signal potential policy contrasts and political strategies.
Deep dives
Netanyahu's Visit and U.S. Reception
Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington during a time of U.S. political unrest showcases a reception ranging from red-carpet treatment to strong opposition. The joint address to Congress sparked significant protests, reflecting a shift in American sentiment towards the Israeli Prime Minister and his policies, especially concerning Palestine. Netanyahu's declining support in the U.S. is evident, with many Americans expressing disapproval of his actions and character.
Contrasting U.S. Reactions to Netanyahu
The scheduling issues and reactions from U.S. officials like Kamala Harris and Joe Biden towards Netanyahu's visit hint at potential policy contrasts. While Biden's statements on Israel's actions in Gaza have been criticized for lacking genuine concern for Palestinian lives, Harris appears to show a deeper appreciation of the situation. The differing approaches of Democrats and Republicans towards Israel reflect broader political strategies and electoral considerations.
Netanyahu's Motivations and Political Challenges
Netanyahu's visit to the U.S. and the ongoing conflict with Hamas are intertwined with his personal legacy and political survival. His unrealistic goals in Gaza have led to domestic and international pressure to secure a ceasefire. The potential impact of U.S. involvement and the regional dynamics add complexity to Netanyahu's goals, with the specter of a regional conflict looming. Netanyahu seeks to prolong the conflict to potentially gain from future political shifts, despite facing challenges in achieving his initial objectives.
As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United States Congress, many lawmakers failed to appear, including Vice President Kamala Harris, now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Is this a sign that Washington is changing its tune?
In this episode:
Omar Baddar (@OmarBaddar), Political Analyst, Director of Communications, Public Citizen
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, Tamara Khandaker, and Sonia Bhagat, with Manahil Naveed, Veronique Eshaya, Mohammad Zain Shafi Khan, and our host Malika Bilal.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.
Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.