In a symbolic playing out of the real power relations between Israel and the United States, Steve Witkoff [Trump's "Middle East Envoy"] informed the office of Benjamin Netanyahu last Friday that he’d be arriving in Israel the next day and wanted to meet him.

Netanyahu’s aides “politely explained that was in the middle of the Sabbath but that the prime minister would gladly meet him Saturday night,” according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

“Witkoff’s blunt reaction took them by surprise,” Haaretz added. “He explained to them in salty English that Shabbat was of no interest to him. His message was loud and clear.”

Netanyahu obeyed orders from Trump’s envoy and showed up at his office as commanded “for an official meeting with Witkoff, who then returned to Qatar to seal the deal.”

Trump's guy probably literally said something like "fuck you we're discussing this right now" to Netanyahu. Not long after, the deal was in place.

But yeah, it was definitely Biden's doing.

[–] Dessa@hexbear.net 39 points 1 day ago (2 children)

If Biden wanted credit, he should have done this before the election

[–] MF_COOM@hexbear.net 44 points 1 day ago

If Biden wanted credit he should have done it at all

[–] edge@hexbear.net 30 points 1 day ago

He didn't want to do it. He was very clear that he wasn't going to put any restrictions on Israel, which is exactly why they ignored his attempts at a peace deal. Harris was also clear about that.