Left-Right split on DC meeting
While the Right celebrate 'a new era' in Israel-US relations, the Left lament and accuse Netanyahu of selling out the country and a possible two-state solution in favor of domestic politics.
Looking more relaxed than he has in many months, and at any time in the White House since returning to the prime minister’s office in 2009, Netanyahu praised the new administration for its aggressive stance towards Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, and took a parting shot at former US President Barack Obama, calling the change in policy “long overdue.”
Education Minister Naftali Bennett said the visit marked the end of the two-state vision for the land of Israel and noted that two Palestinian states already exist: Gaza and Jordan.
“I congratulate the Prime Minister for making the right decision, showing leadership and courage, and fortifying Israel’s security and sovereignty. Now we must look ahead and shape a new strategic approach in light of the new reality,” Bennett said.
Minister of Culture and Sport MK Miri Regev joined in the positive chorus, saying, "The freeze era in the West Bank is over. The freeze era in relations between the United States and Israel is over. Today in Washington, a new era of policy began."
On the other side of the aisle, voices were less enthusiastic. MK Dr. Nachman Shai, chairman of the US -Israel Friendship Caucus, said the cordial visit was an indication of Netanyahu’s cowing to right-wing elements in his coalition instead of speaking to Israel’s national interest.
“Every once in a while, the laughing faces of Minister Bennett and Netanyahu’s other coalition partners peeks out from behind the prime minister’s back,” Shai said. “The prime minister bowed to right-wing pressure and refrained from mentioning the two-state solution. Netanyahu knows, better than anyone in the White House, that this is the only acceptable solution that will preserve a Jewish and democratic Israel.”
Shai also noted Trump’s repeated statements that Israel must be prepared to make concessions, and criticized Netanyahu for refusing to answer those demands.
“The two-state solution is first-and-foremost in the interest of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Once again, Netanyahu has proved that Israel has no foreign policy, only domestic policy,” Shai said.
Head of the opposition, MK Isaac Herzog, responded to the press conference, saying, "It was sad and embarrassing to see Netanyahu twisting and winding to avoid the idea of a separation from the Palestinians to form two states. Every Israeli should be anxious tonight from the possibility of a single state between the Jordan River and the sea, which means there is no Jewish state. This is a very dangerous disaster and we will fight it every way possible."
In addition, MK Stav Shaffir (Zionist Union) cautioned the settlement movement against premature celebrations, criticizing Netanyahu for lacking a plan to maintain security, while Meretz Party Chairwoman Zehava Galon said the end of the two-state solution would “guarantee” that Israel becomes an “apartheid state.”
TPS contributed to this report.
