By Mary Jones & Ben Emos | Thursday, January 30, 2025 | 4 min read
The first foreign leader to visit President Donald Trump in his second term will be none other than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—an individual facing serious allegations of war crimes. The announcement, made by Netanyahu on Tuesday, confirmed that Trump will host him at the White House on February 4. This follows Trump’s own remarks on Monday, when he hinted at the upcoming meeting by stating he would be “speaking with Bibi Netanyahu in the not-too-distant future.”
Netanyahu’s visit comes at a particularly contentious time, as outrage over Israel’s military actions in Gaza continues to mount. Less than two weeks ago, a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect after months of relentless bombing that killed thousands of civilians. Netanyahu had deliberately delayed implementing the ceasefire until the day before Trump’s inauguration, despite agreeing to terms nearly identical to those proposed months earlier.
Now, these two embattled and controversial leaders are preparing to stand side by side, reaffirming their close alliance at a critical moment. Their meeting is expected to focus on bolstering military support, territorial expansion, and policies that could heighten tensions in the region. Many speculate that this could be Trump’s way of signaling his approval for Netanyahu to move forward with the formal annexation of the occupied West Bank or even reignite discussions on the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. Such actions would likely deepen divisions and further alienate Arab and Muslim voters, particularly in key swing states like Michigan.
Trump’s Unapologetic Embrace of Netanyahu
Trump has wasted no time reinstating his pro-Netanyahu policies. Within days of returning to office, he reversed the Biden administration’s restrictions on exporting 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, a move widely condemned by human rights organizations. His administration has also refused to recognize the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants against Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, who are both accused of crimes against humanity.
Despite these allegations, Trump and his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, have continued to defend Israel’s actions. They have dismissed the ICC’s efforts as politically motivated and have vowed to shield Netanyahu from any legal consequences. This position is not universally supported, even among U.S. lawmakers. Senate Republicans attempted to push through a bill sanctioning the ICC on Tuesday, but Senate Democrats—aside from John Fetterman—blocked the move.
The Political Fallout
Trump’s decision to host Netanyahu is seen by many as a deliberate provocation, particularly toward Arab and Muslim communities both in the U.S. and abroad. It underscores his disregard for the mounting global criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and risks further isolating the United States from its allies in the Middle East.
For Netanyahu, the White House visit serves as both a political lifeline and a symbolic victory. Facing allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in Israel, as well as growing calls for accountability on the world stage, standing next to Trump provides him with a powerful image of legitimacy.
Meanwhile, for Trump, the move is just as calculated. By embracing Netanyahu, he is solidifying his support among pro-Israel hardliners, evangelical Christian voters, and Republican lawmakers who continue to advocate for unconditional military support to Israel.
A Dangerous Precedent
As Trump and Netanyahu prepare for their high-profile meeting, one thing is clear: this is more than just a diplomatic visit. It is a statement of defiance against international accountability, a reinforcement of militaristic policies, and a dangerous signal that authoritarian leaders can act with impunity as long as they have the right political allies.
By welcoming Netanyahu to the White House, Trump is not only alienating Arab and Muslim voters but also setting a precedent that war crimes allegations are no barrier to political power and influence. This meeting, much like the policies that will stem from it, is bound to deepen global divisions and further entrench the cycle of violence in the Middle East.
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