Despite the apparent harmony, Netanyahu remains trapped between American pressure to end the conflict and the demands of ultranationalist forces in his coalition, who are opposed to a ceasefire. But after the joint military intervention against Iran and with Trump’s return to the international stage, his ability to say “no” to Washington seems increasingly limited.
Yesterday in Washington, a top-secret meeting took place between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The latter announced, during a formal dinner at the White House, that he had nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The two leaders, accompanied by their respective advisers, celebrated the recent joint military operations against Iranian nuclear facilities, which both described as a “complete success,” and discussed a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire to end hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
“He is building peace, a country and a Region at the same time,” Netanyahu said, handing Trump the nomination letter he had already sent to the Nobel committee. The move comes after years in which the Israeli prime minister had called for direct US military action against Iran’s nuclear program. During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed the conflict in Gaza and possible negotiations with Iran, after Washington said Tehran had expressed interest in reopening nuclear talks.
However, Iran has yet to officially confirm it. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the US attacks had severely damaged nuclear infrastructure and that the country was currently unable to allow full access to international inspectors.
Meanwhile, the White House is pressuring Israel and Hamas to finalize a deal for a temporary two-month ceasefire that would pave the way for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the partial release of hostages still being held in Gaza. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, is expected in Doha for indirect talks with Hamas. The crux of the issue remains the nature of the ceasefire: Hamas is calling for a final end to the war and an Israeli withdrawal; Netanyahu is insisting on the Islamist group’s complete surrender. On the sidelines of the dinner, Netanyahu reiterated his vision for the Palestinian cause, ruling out the possibility of a fully sovereign state.
“I believe that the Palestinians should have all the powers to govern themselves, but none of these powers should threaten us. That means that the power of decision-making, as well as overall security, will always remain in our hands,” he told reporters. “It is a fact, and no one in Israel will accept anything different, because we cannot ignore certain facts.” The Israeli prime minister, however, left open a spark of hope for Regional peace: “We want life, we value it, for ourselves and for our neighbors. And I think that, with the leadership of President Trump, we can build a broad and lasting peace with all countries in the Region.”
Finally, when asked about his controversial plan to relocate displaced Palestinians, Trump avoided a direct answer, passing the floor to Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister said the president supports the principle of “free choice” and confirmed that Israel is working with Washington to identify third countries willing to accept some of the Palestinian population evacuated from Gaza. Despite the apparent harmony, Netanyahu remains caught between American pressure to end the conflict and the demands of ultranationalist forces in his coalition, which are opposed to a ceasefire. But after the joint military intervention against Iran and with Trump’s return to the international stage, his ability to say “no” to Washington seems increasingly limited.