Lazar Berman
Times of Israel, Feb. 5, 2025
“If Netanyahu continues his approach of backing Trump’s ideas to stay in his good graces, he could undermine Israel’s alliances with Jordan and Egypt, with nothing to show for it.”
As is often the case with Donald Trump, there were plenty of headline-worthy statements that came out his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The US president said the Saudis were not demanding a Palestinian state; that the current Israeli government could complete the hostage release deal; that Iran is “very strong right now”; that the US would get more violent if Hamas didn’t release all the hostages.
Yet the statement leading evening news shows in the US and news sites around the world was about the future of Gaza: “The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous bombs and other weapons on the site.”
This wasn’t Trump speaking off the cuff. He was reading from prepared remarks during a joint press conference with Netanyahu, the first foreign leader to visit the White House since the Republican returned to office in January. Though he often stakes out unexpected positions as a tactic to help get what he wants on other matters, he seemed to be sincere about this one.
Shortly before that, Trump said in the Oval Office that he wants Palestinians to leave Gaza, and that ideally they would not return to the war-torn region.
Netanyahu seemed not to know how to react to the outlandish plan. “I think it’s worth paying attention to this,” he said noncommittally. “We’re talking about it. He’s exploring it with his people, with his staff. I think it’s something that could change history, and it’s worthwhile really pursuing this avenue.” …SOURCE