Netanyahu’s address to Congress will have more than one audience

Netanyahu will walk a political tightrope in DC as he tries to satisfy several audiences, each with conflicting demands, ABC noted: Israel’s ultranationalist government wants him to show resolve in defeating Hamas by any means necessary; families of hostages held in Gaza want a deal; the Biden administration wants progress on a ceasefire; and Republicans want to see Biden and the Democrats take heat for their stance on the war. But the visit could also relieve some pressure, The Washington Post wrote: Netanyahu may be “coming here to use Congress and the White House as props, in demonstration of his indispensability,” a fellow at the Carnegie Institute for International Peace said.

Netanyahu is reportedly keen to meet with Donald Trump while in DC, and it’s possible he is “slow-rolling” ceasefire negotiations in the belief he’ll have more space to maneuver,and appease his far-right cabinet, if a Republican returns to the White House, Politico reported. “Then Netanyahu [and his inner circle] will have any options they want. There won’t be pressure on a ceasefire or hostage deal or anything else,” an expert at the Israel Policy Forum told the outlet. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly warned a hostage deal soon would be a “slap” to Trump and help Democrats, “implying the deal should be pushed to January,” when a new president will be sworn in, a fellow at The Washington Institute noted.