Developments in US-Israel Relations
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamín Netanyahu has confirmed that US President Donald Trump has extended an invitation for the Prime Minister to visit the White House. This visit is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 4, marking a significant event in the early stages of President Trump’s second term. The invitation comes at a time when a fragile truce is in place in the Gaza Strip, with Washington yet to officially comment on the development.
Context of the Invitation
Prior to his inauguration, President Trump had emphasized the need for a ceasefire in Gaza. The recent liberation of Israeli hostages held by Hamas has been attributed to his efforts. Notably, Prime Minister Netanyahu was among the first leaders to congratulate President Trump on his election victory last November. Since taking office, President Trump has taken steps that are seen as beneficial to the Israeli government, including the proposed transfer of heavy bombs that were frozen during the presidency of Joe Biden, as well as suggestions for the relocation of Palestinians outside of the Gaza Strip.
US Support for Israeli Decisions
On Tuesday, the US interim representative to the UN, Dorothy Shea, expressed support for the Israeli authorities’ decision to order the closure of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) offices in East Jerusalem. This territory was unilaterally annexed by Israel in 1980. Shea’s statement represents a significant shift from the stance of the Biden administration, which, while maintaining diplomatic and military support for Israel, had defended the work of UNRWA, particularly in the Gaza Strip. This development highlights the evolving nature of US-Israel relations under President Trump’s leadership.