Israel's Unyielding Ties to Trump: A Trail of Consequences in the Middle East
In a region on the brink of chaos, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to break his own record for most visits to the US in an official capacity, with his sixth trip to Washington since President Donald Trump returned to office. The timing couldn't be more tense, as Israel tightens its grip on the occupied West Bank and the bombardment and siege of Gaza continue despite a US-brokered ceasefire.
Netanyahu's past visits to the White House have been marked by disagreements over Iran and trade, but also moments of cooperation in pursuit of a hardline US approach towards Tehran. The proposal to ethnically cleanse Gaza, which sparked international condemnation upon its announcement, was revealed during Netanyahu's first visit in February 2025, just as the Gaza truce that had begun in January began to collapse.
In April 2025, Netanyahu returned to the White House, seeking a tariff exemption for Israel and pushing for escalation against Iran. However, Trump announced plans for nuclear talks with Iran instead, setting out maximalist conditions for US diplomacy with Tehran. Despite signs of disagreement between the two leaders, the US administration continued to support Israel's brutal assault on Gaza.
Trump joined Israel in bombing Iran in July 2025, fulfilling Netanyahu's wish for years. The Israeli prime minister hailed the war and its outcomes as a "historic victory" during his visit to Washington a month later. However, Netanyahu and Trump were at odds over the ceasefire in Gaza amid international outrage at Israel's atrocities and a forced starvation campaign against Palestinians.
As the US pushed for a ceasefire, Netanyahu insisted that he and Trump were in "lockstep" on Gaza. The truce would go into effect days later, but more than four months on, Israel has continued to bomb and kill Palestinians in Gaza while restricting the entry of medicine and material for temporary shelters into the territory.
In September 2025, Netanyahu met with Trump again, this time over a proposed 20-point plan that became the basis for the current Gaza "ceasefire." The US president hailed the plan as a new dawn for the region and the world. However, the truce has been widely criticized as inadequate.
Netanyahu returned to the White House in December 2025, where he raised concerns about Iran's nuclear programme. Trump threatened Iran with more bombs, saying "we'll knock them down." The two leaders heaped praise on one another, dismissing media reports that they were not seeing eye to eye on the future of Gaza and other regional issues.
As Netanyahu prepares for his sixth visit to the US, it remains to be seen how the US president will respond to Israeli demands. Will Trump stand firm in the face of pressure from Israel or will he yield to the prime minister's wishes? One thing is certain: the consequences of their relationship will continue to shape the Middle East for years to come.
In a region on the brink of chaos, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to break his own record for most visits to the US in an official capacity, with his sixth trip to Washington since President Donald Trump returned to office. The timing couldn't be more tense, as Israel tightens its grip on the occupied West Bank and the bombardment and siege of Gaza continue despite a US-brokered ceasefire.
Netanyahu's past visits to the White House have been marked by disagreements over Iran and trade, but also moments of cooperation in pursuit of a hardline US approach towards Tehran. The proposal to ethnically cleanse Gaza, which sparked international condemnation upon its announcement, was revealed during Netanyahu's first visit in February 2025, just as the Gaza truce that had begun in January began to collapse.
In April 2025, Netanyahu returned to the White House, seeking a tariff exemption for Israel and pushing for escalation against Iran. However, Trump announced plans for nuclear talks with Iran instead, setting out maximalist conditions for US diplomacy with Tehran. Despite signs of disagreement between the two leaders, the US administration continued to support Israel's brutal assault on Gaza.
Trump joined Israel in bombing Iran in July 2025, fulfilling Netanyahu's wish for years. The Israeli prime minister hailed the war and its outcomes as a "historic victory" during his visit to Washington a month later. However, Netanyahu and Trump were at odds over the ceasefire in Gaza amid international outrage at Israel's atrocities and a forced starvation campaign against Palestinians.
As the US pushed for a ceasefire, Netanyahu insisted that he and Trump were in "lockstep" on Gaza. The truce would go into effect days later, but more than four months on, Israel has continued to bomb and kill Palestinians in Gaza while restricting the entry of medicine and material for temporary shelters into the territory.
In September 2025, Netanyahu met with Trump again, this time over a proposed 20-point plan that became the basis for the current Gaza "ceasefire." The US president hailed the plan as a new dawn for the region and the world. However, the truce has been widely criticized as inadequate.
Netanyahu returned to the White House in December 2025, where he raised concerns about Iran's nuclear programme. Trump threatened Iran with more bombs, saying "we'll knock them down." The two leaders heaped praise on one another, dismissing media reports that they were not seeing eye to eye on the future of Gaza and other regional issues.
As Netanyahu prepares for his sixth visit to the US, it remains to be seen how the US president will respond to Israeli demands. Will Trump stand firm in the face of pressure from Israel or will he yield to the prime minister's wishes? One thing is certain: the consequences of their relationship will continue to shape the Middle East for years to come.