The United States of America President, Donald Trump, is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, a meeting aimed to push a Gaza peace proposal, after a slew of Western leaders embraced Palestinian statehood in defiance of American and Israeli opposition.
The visit marks the fourth trip by the right-wing Israeli leader, Netanyahu, since President Trump returned to office in January. His primary goal is to strengthen Israel’s most vital international relationship as the country faces increasing global isolation, nearly two years into its ongoing conflict against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported.
Netanyahu had earlier condemned the proposal by world leaders, Britain, France, Canada, Australia and several other countries for the recognition of Palestinian statehood during the United Nations General Assembly, describing it as a “disgraceful decision”.
They said such action was needed to preserve the prospect for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict and help bring the war to a close.
Trump, who had criticised the recognition moves as a prize to Hamas, told Reuters on Sunday he hopes to get Netanyahu’s agreement on a framework to end the war in the Palestinian enclave and free the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
“We’re getting an excellent response because Bibi wants to make the deal too,” Trump said in a telephone interview, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “Everybody wants to make the deal.”
He commended the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, and Egypt for their assistance and said the deal aims to extend beyond Gaza to a broader Middle East peace.
“It’s called peace in the Middle East, more than Gaza. Gaza is a part of it. But it’s peace in the Middle East,” he said.
Asked whether there is now an agreed deal for peace in Gaza, a senior Israeli official said, “It’s too early to tell.” The official added that Netanyahu would give Israel’s response to the proposal when he meets Trump on Monday.
Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from the hostages’ families and, according to public opinion polls, a war-weary Israeli public.
A 21-point peace plan had been circulated to a string of Arab and Muslim countries on the U.N. sidelines last week.
It calls for the release of all hostages, living and dead, no further Israeli attacks on Qatar and a new dialogue between Israel and Palestinians for “peaceful coexistence,” a White House official said on condition of anonymity. Israel angered the Qataris and drew criticism from Trump for an airstrike against Hamas leaders in Doha on September 9.
Previous U.S.-backed ceasefire efforts have fallen apart due to a failure to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas, and Netanyahu has vowed to continue fighting until Hamas is completely dismantled.
TVC previously reported that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the UN General Assembly in New York City was met with a mass walkout by protesting delegates.
Reuters reported that scores of people left the hall as the Israeli prime minister took the stage.
The assembly hall witnessed a mass departure just as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu arrived to deliver his address during the annual general debate. Those who walked out included nearly all representatives from predominantly Arab and Muslim countries, as well as delegates from several African and European nations.
