Netanyahu’s Split with Biden and the Democrats: A Detailed Timeline
2015: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the U.S. Congress without President Obama’s Approval
The tense relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Obama administration was brought to the forefront in March 2015 when Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress. Netanyahu’s speech, which strongly criticized the Obama administration’s approach to the Iran nuclear deal negotiations, caused a rift in U.S.-Israel relations.
2016: Netanyahu’s Open Support for Donald Trump
During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Netanyahu’s government showed open support for then-candidate Donald Trump. This move was seen as a direct challenge to the Democrats, led by Hillary Clinton, who had closer ties to the Obama administration. Netanyahu’s vocal support for Trump further strained his relationship with the Democrats.
2017: Netanyahu’s Clash with the Obama Administration on UN Resolution 2334
In December 2016, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as a violation of international law. The resolution was allowed to pass due to the U.S. abstaining from the vote, marking a significant departure from previous U.S. policy. Netanyahu strongly condemned the Obama administration’s role in allowing the resolution to pass, further deepening the divide between him and the Democrats.
2018: Netanyahu Welcomes U.S. Withdrawal from Iran Nuclear Deal
In May 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, a move that Netanyahu strongly supported. The nuclear deal was a key point of contention between Netanyahu and the Democrats, who had worked to negotiate the agreement during the Obama administration. Netanyahu’s alignment with Trump on this issue further solidified his split from the Democrats.
2019: Netanyahu’s Close Relationship with Trump and the Republicans
Throughout Trump’s presidency, Netanyahu maintained a close relationship with the U.S. president and the Republican party. Netanyahu’s alignment with Trump on key issues such as the Iran nuclear deal, Israeli settlements, and the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital reinforced his divergence from the Democrats, who had more adversarial views on these matters.
2021: Netanyahu’s Fierce Opposition to the Iran Nuclear Talks
Following Joe Biden’s inauguration as U.S. president in January 2021, tensions between Netanyahu and the Democrats escalated over the issue of rejoining the Iran nuclear deal. Netanyahu vehemently opposed the Biden administration’s efforts to revive the deal, further widening the gap between him and the Democrats on foreign policy priorities.
Conclusion
The rift between Benjamin Netanyahu and the Democrats, particularly under Presidents Obama and Biden, has been years in the making. From clashes over key foreign policy issues to open support for political rivals, Netanyahu’s divergent approach to U.S.-Israel relations has led to a notable split with the Democratic party. As Netanyahu’s political career evolves, his stance on key issues will continue to shape the dynamics between Israel and the United States.