Trump and Netanyahu: New Episode

Q. Was the dramatic Trump-Netanyahu White House meeting two weeks ago a turning point in the Israeli learning curve regarding Trump’s Middle East intentions? What has emerged since then in Israel-US relations?

A. Prime Minister Netanyahu arrived in Washington in early April with the expectation of getting a green or perhaps amber light from President Trump regarding an attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. A secondary objective of the meeting from Netanyahu’s standpoint was apparently to persuade Trump to reduce or cancel newly imposed tariffs on Israeli goods. Also on the two leaders’ agenda were Syria and Gaza.

Netanyahu walked out of his meeting with Trump not only empty-handed (‘four billion a year is enough’), but with marching orders that effectively contradicted the Israeli leader’s designs and desires for the region regarding key issues: Iran, Syria, and Gaza. What emerged, to Netanyahu’s evident discomfort, were Trump tactical moves for at least temporarily reducing conflict and lowering the US military profile throughout most of the region.

Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent NJN's views and policy positions.

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

NOTE: Congress is on Spring Break this week (and next).

1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING UNRWA) S. XXXX (bill text): On 4/14/25, Sen. Crux (R-TX) issued a press release touting the introduction of the “Limiting Immunity for Assisting Backers of Lethal Extremism Act” aka, the “LIABLE Act.” Cotton explains in the press release that the bill “removes immunity from, and allows suits against, international organizations that provide material support to designated terror groups which commit terrorism against Americans.” The rest of the press release makes clear that the purpose of the bill is to enable Americans to sue UNRWA.

(FEDERAL ANTI-BOYCOTT-OF-ISRAEL-OR-SETTLEMENTS LAW) HR XXXX [bill text]:On 4/16/25, Tenney (R-NY) issued a press release touting the re-introduction by – along with her lead cosponsor Moskowitz (R-NY), of the “Countering Hate Against Israel by Federal Contractors Act,” which aims “to ban the federal government from entering into contracts with entities that support the radical, anti-Semitic BDS movement targeting Israel.” This same bill was introduced in the last Congress, by Tenney, as HR 4564 and garnered 23 cosponsors (including a grand total of 3 Democrats), The press release notes that cosponsors this time around (so far) include: Lawler (R-NY), Cline (R-VA), Steube (R-FL), and Stefanik (R-NY). Also see: Tenney, Moskowitz reintroduce federal anti-BDS legislation (Jewish Insider 4/15/25); Bipartisan group reintroduces House legislation countering boycotts of Israel (Jewish News Syndicate 4/16/25)