Netanyahu Meets with US Senate Leaders to Strengthen Israel-US Alliance and Discuss Security Issues

During his visit to Capitol Hill on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a productive and supportive meeting with the bipartisan leadership of the US Senate. The meeting, described as warm and constructive by Israel’s Government Press Office, highlighted the ongoing and unwavering support for Israel’s military actions and broader war goals, with Senate leaders commending Israel’s military success and reaffirming the importance of the US-Israel alliance.

Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed several key security concerns with Senate leaders, stressing the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and the importance of dismantling Hamas in Gaza. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the Senate leadership expressed full agreement with Israel’s stance on these critical issues.

Netanyahu also praised the "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran spearheaded by US President Donald Trump, which aims to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Senate leaders committed to advancing legislation aimed at countering the ICC, particularly following the Court's issuance of warrants against senior Israeli officials, including Netanyahu. This move was widely criticized by US lawmakers, who expressed concerns over potential legal actions against Israel and its leaders.

Additionally, the meeting provided an opportunity for US senators to inquire about Israel's strategy in its ongoing multi-front war. Netanyahu credited Israel's military achievements to the dedication of its soldiers and the resilience of the Israeli people.

The political dynamics within Israel are also evolving. Following Netanyahu's meeting with Senate leaders, Israel's coalition bloc surged to 53 seats, with Likud, Netanyahu’s leading party, increasing by three seats. However, the opposition bloc, led by Benny Gantz’s National Unity Party, has seen a decline in support, losing two seats in the latest poll.

Elsewhere, in a recent interview with Channel 14, Netanyahu made a provocative statement suggesting that Saudi Arabia could create a Palestinian state within its borders, given its vast land. Netanyahu, when questioned about a Palestinian state being a precondition for normalization with Israel, firmly responded that he would never agree to a deal that could compromise Israel's security, particularly after the October 7 attacks. He pointed to the example of Gaza, calling it a "Palestinian state" under Hamas' rule, which led to the "biggest massacre since the Holocaust."

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared his concerns about Gaza, calling the region "not habitable" due to dangers such as unexploded weapons. Rubio stressed the importance of rebuilding Gaza, but also emphasized that those displaced would need to live elsewhere temporarily. This statement aligns with President Trump’s controversial plan for the US to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, which includes the proposal of temporarily relocating Palestinians as part of a wider peace effort in the region.

This political exchange comes amid fears in Israel that Netanyahu may delay annexation of the West Bank in favor of advancing normalization talks with Saudi Arabia. Anonymously, Israeli officials expressed concerns that Netanyahu might use such a delay as leverage to convince Riyadh to accept a proposal that avoids a direct path to a Palestinian state.

The discussions in Washington, alongside Rubio's upcoming visit to the Middle East, have further fueled the debate surrounding the future of Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict.