Biden and Naftali Bennett to Meet, In search of to Burnish U.S.-Israel Relations

WASHINGTON — When Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of Israel meets President Biden on the White Home on Thursday, the 2 new leaders plan to hunt a reset in relations between their nations and reinforce a bond that has confirmed indicators of pressure.

Mr. Biden, who known as Mr. Bennett to congratulate him lower than two hours after his swearing-in two months in the past, has tried to ship a transparent sign that the US helps his new, numerous, coalition authorities.

Mr. Bennett has mentioned that he desires his administration to be often known as the “good-will authorities,” and that he desires to take a softer tone towards the US than did his longtime predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, who typically clashed with Democratic leaders.

However for all of the conciliatory type, the problem stands out as the substance. Mr. Biden and Mr. Bennett, who’ve by no means met earlier than, have vastly completely different views of the Israeli-Palestinian battle, and of efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal.

Mr. Bennett has made clear that there is not going to be an impartial Palestinian state whereas he’s the pinnacle of his authorities. The Biden administration, in distinction, has expressed a deep dedication to a two-state resolution that, by definition, consists of an impartial Palestinian state.

Mr. Bennett additionally opposes the US’ re-entry into the Iran settlement, which the Biden administration is exploring.

“These are two very central points within the U.S.-Israel relationship on which there are radically completely different factors of view,” mentioned Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J Road, a liberal pro-Israel advocacy group. “The tone and the environment can not substitute for the actual fact that there’s a basic distinction in view on the core points at stake within the U.S.-Israel relationship.”

In a current interview with The New York Instances, Mr. Bennett mentioned he would develop West Financial institution settlements, a transfer Mr. Biden opposes. And he declined to again American plans to reopen a consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem.

Nonetheless, he made clear that he wished the assembly to indicate that the connection with the US was on extra stable floor, even when a few of his insurance policies are much like these of Mr. Netanyahu.

“There’s a brand new dimension right here — arising with new methods to handle issues, being very real looking, very pragmatic, and being cheap with buddies,” Mr. Bennett mentioned.

His go to comes as Mr. Biden is navigating the most important international coverage disaster of his younger presidency, making an attempt to evacuate all Individuals and Afghan allies from Afghanistan earlier than his Aug. 31 deadline for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from the nation after 20 years of conflict.

At dwelling, Mr. Biden is coping with crosscurrents over Israel in his personal get together, as an energized progressive wing and a quiet shift amongst extra mainstream Democrats have led many lawmakers to take a extra skeptical strategy towards the longtime ally.

Mr. Bennett can also be the uncommon worldwide chief that Mr. Biden, a former chairman of the Senate Overseas Relations Committee, shares no historical past with, a distinction that units Mr. Bennett aside even from a few of his neighbors. Final month, when King Abdullah II of Jordan turned the primary Arab head of state to go to the White Home since Mr. Biden took workplace, the president known as him a “loyal and first rate good friend” and famous, “We’ve been hanging out collectively for a very long time.”