Israel’s Netanyahu will meet Biden in New York. The location is seen as a sign of U.S. displeasure

NEW YORK (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to have his long-coveted meeting with President Biden on Wednesday — bringing together the two leaders for the first time since the Israeli leader took office at the helm of his country’s far-right government late last year.

Netanyahu has been a frequent visitor to the White House over the years, and Israeli leaders are typically invited within weeks of taking office. The lengthy delay in setting up the meeting with Biden and the White House decision to hold the meeting in New York rather than Washington have been widely interpreted in Israel as signs of U.S. displeasure with Netanyahu’s new government.

Eytan Gilboa, a specialist in U.S.-Israeli relations at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, stated that the refusal to hold a meeting at the White House signifies the opposite of close relations, friendship, and honor.

Gilboa expressed that the upcoming meeting is not expected to be enjoyable, rather it will be quite unpleasant.

The White House remained silent about the upcoming meeting on Wednesday, choosing not to provide many specifics about what topics Biden would discuss during the talks.

The Biden administration officials have expressed concerns multiple times regarding Netanyahu’s controversial proposal to reform Israel’s judicial system, and this subject is expected to be discussed.

Netanyahu argues that the judges who are not elected hold excessive influence over government decision-making in the country. Detractors claim that Netanyahu’s actions to undermine the autonomy of the judiciary are leading the nation towards authoritarian governance.

His plan has bitterly divided the nation and triggered months of mass protests against his government. Those protests have followed him to the U.S. Large numbers of Israeli expatriates are expected to protest outside Wednesday’s meeting in Manhattan on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

Earlier this year, Biden expressed his dissatisfaction with the reform, stating that Netanyahu should not proceed in the same direction and encouraging him to reach a compromise. Netanyahu’s discussions with the Israeli opposition have halted, and his coalition has proceeded with their plan, successfully passing the initial significant part of the legislation in July.

The way the Israeli government treats the Palestinians has also caused anger among Americans. Netanyahu’s coalition is mainly made up of far-right ultranationalists who have significantly increased the construction of Israeli settlements on lands that the Palestinians claim for their own future state. The Israeli government is also against a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, which is a key aspect of the White House’s policy in the region. This lack of progress has happened at the same time as a rise in conflicts in the West Bank.

On Wednesday, the White House announced that the discussions would center around the common democratic principles shared by both nations and their aspirations for a region that is more secure, prosperous, and interconnected.

The meeting comes at a time of cooling ties between Israel and the Democratic Party. A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while Americans generally view Israel as a partner or ally, many are questioning whether Netanyahu’s government shares American values. Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to call Israel an ally with shared values.

Tom Nides, who stepped down as U.S. ambassador to Israel in July, said the timing and location of Wednesday’s meeting were issues and acknowledged some policy differences.

“That is the nature of friendship. Friends engage in disagreements. We are capable of expressing a firm stance against the expansion of settlements. We can confidently state that there is a valid argument for them to receive some concessions regarding judicial reform. What is objectionable about that?”

However, he anticipated a positive meeting without any major conflicts, highlighting the long-standing friendship between Biden and Netanyahu and the continued strong alliance between their countries. He stated that the relationship is currently at its peak strength.

The fact that the meeting is taking place in New York instead of Washington was downplayed by officials from the Biden administration. It is anticipated that Netanyahu will receive an invitation to the White House in the future, but the timing of this visit may be influenced by the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting.

Netanyahu’s top priority will be to discuss the U.S. attempts in facilitating an agreement that would establish complete diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu, who also led Israel when former President Donald Trump brokered the “Abraham Accords” between Israel and four Arab countries, has said that a similar deal with Saudi Arabia would mark a “quantum leap” forward for Israel and the region.

The White House has admitted that it is pursuing an agreement of this nature, but there are challenges to overcome. Saudi Arabia is advocating for a nuclear collaboration agreement and assurances of defense from the United States.

The Saudis have expressed their anticipation for Israel to grant substantial concessions to the Palestinians.

Biden is likely to make clear to Netanyahu that any deal will need to consider Palestinian interests. Biden is cognizant that the Saudis are wary of proceeding with normalizing relations with Israel at a time when it is led by the most right-wing government in its history, and when tensions have soared with the Palestinians.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, stated to journalists that the only solution to the conflict is the creation of a Palestinian state. However, key ministers in Netanyahu’s administration have already rejected making any compromises with the Palestinians.

Israel is also keen to engage in discussions with the U.S. regarding Iran, specifically regarding their mutual concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. Iran asserts that the program is peaceful, but they are currently enriching uranium at levels closer to those required for weapons.

Danny Danon, a current member of Netanyahu’s Likud party and former Israeli ambassador to the U.N., admitted that the meeting on Wednesday did not hold the same level of prestige as a visit to the White House.

“I cannot reword”

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Federman reported from Jerusalem.