Indeed, the political relationship between former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden, as well as with the broader Democratic Party, has been complicated and marked by periods of tension. This can be traced back to several key points.
1. Obama Administration: The division started to widen during the presidency of Democrat Barack Obama, when Netanyahu reportedly had a frosty personal relationship with him. Major points of disagreement were the handling of the Israeli-Palestinian issue and Iran’s nuclear program.
2. Iran Nuclear Deal: The Obama administration’s negotiation of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2015, which Netanyahu staunchly opposed, significantly strained relations. Netanyahu even accepted an invitation from Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner to address a joint session of Congress regarding his concerns about the deal, a move seen as bypassing the Obama administration.
3. Trump Era: Relations between Netanyahu and Democrats further deteriorated during the presidency of Republican Donald Trump, who moved the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal – all moves praised by Netanyahu. Netanyahu’s close relationship with Trump created further rifts between him and the Democrat-led Congress.
4. Election of Joe Biden: With the arrival of the Biden administration, old wounds regarding the Iran nuclear deal and handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have resurfaced, offering little hope for reconciliation.
To conclude, the split between Netanyahu and the Democrats has
