U.S.-Israel political parallels (and perils)
New leaders in Jerusalem and Washington will contend with a bilateral relationship that's become more political than diplomatic.
June 4, 2021 — 5:45pm
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A campaign poster for the 2019 Israeli election — one of four in just two years — showed a smiling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shaking hands. But not with a coalition partner, or even reaching out to a rival in a magnanimous gesture. Rather, the man looking equally enthused to grip and grin was then-President Donald Trump, looking like a running mate in a U.S.-style campaign.
In metaphorical ways, the president and prime minister were running mates. More broadly, Netanyahu's closer association with Republicans was a sharp departure from the traditionally bipartisan foundation of the U.S.-Israel relationship.