Trump Greets Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Rekindling a Key Political Alliance

Donald Trump warmly welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their first meeting in nearly four years. This encounter aimed to mend their political alliance, which had soured after Netanyahu congratulated Joe Biden on his 2020 presidential victory over Trump. Trump greeted Netanyahu on the stone steps of his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on the fifth day of Netanyahu's U.S. visit.

Netanyahu's trip to Florida followed a fiery address to Congress and separate talks with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Both leaders have strong political interests in moving past their differences. As president, Trump went beyond his predecessors in fulfilling Netanyahu's top wishes from the United States. For Trump, now the Republican presidential nominee, the meeting could cast him as an ally and statesman.

Political Interests and Strategic Moves

For Netanyahu, repairing relations with Trump is crucial given the possibility that Trump may become president again. The United States is Israel's vital arms supplier and protector. For both men, Friday's meeting will highlight their depiction of themselves as strong leaders who have achieved significant accomplishments on the world stage.

Trump's public statements urging a rapid end to the war in Gaza could add to tensions. One political gamble for Netanyahu is whether he could get more favourable terms in any deal on a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release if he waits out the Biden administration in hopes that Trump wins.

"Benjamin Netanyahu has spent much of his career in the last two decades tethering himself to the Republican Party," said Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. diplomat for Arab-Israeli negotiations. Miller added that for the next six months, this means "mending ties with an irascible, angry president," referring to Trump.

Historical Context and Diplomatic Achievements

Trump broke off with Netanyahu in early 2021 after Netanyahu congratulated Biden for his presidential election victory. "Bibi could have stayed quiet," Trump said in an interview with an Israeli newspaper back then. "He made a terrible mistake." The last time they met was at a September 2020 White House signing ceremony for a significant diplomatic achievement brokered by Trump's administration.

This accord saw the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain agree to establish normal diplomatic relations with Israel. For Israel, it meant formal recognition by these countries for the first time. It was a major step towards easing tensions and broadening economic ties with its Arab neighbours.

Public Statements and Criticisms

In public postings after his break with Netanyahu, Trump portrayed himself as having stuck his neck out for Israel as president, only to be repaid with disloyalty by Netanyahu. He also criticised Netanyahu on other points, such as being "not prepared" for the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks that started the war in Gaza.

In his high-profile speech to Congress on Wednesday, Netanyahu acknowledged Biden's military and diplomatic support for Israel's offensive in Gaza despite opposition within his Democratic Party. However, he praised Trump for helping broker historic regional accords and thanked him "for all the things he did for Israel."

Netanyahu's Praise and Trump's Response

Netanyahu listed actions by Trump's administration long-sought by Israeli governments: recognising Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, adopting a tougher U.S. policy toward Iran, and declaring Jerusalem as Israel's capital. "I appreciated that," Trump told "Fox & Friends" on Thursday regarding Netanyahu's praise.

Despite this appreciation, Trump didn't hold back his criticism of Israel's conduct of the war, which has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian deaths. "I want him to finish up and get it done quickly," Trump said in Thursday's interview. He added that Israel is not very good at public relations.

Trump has repeatedly urged that Israel, with U.S. support, "finish the job" in Gaza and destroy Hamas but hasn't elaborated on how this should be done.

The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu underscores their efforts to present themselves as strong leaders capable of significant achievements on the global stage once again.