Rough Landing

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Since Netanyahu’s first-term visit to the United States in 1998, his return flight has always brought undesired drama. Then, Netanyahu was returning from the Wye River Summit, where he’d met Arafat. The Palestinian leader had even called to wish him a happy birthday using the phone of his advisor, future MK Ahmed Tibi.

The video of Netanyahu taking Arafat’s call would feature in countless attack ads, along with the infamous handshake and the comment that would haunt him ever after: “I found a friend.” Returning from the crisp air of the Wye Plantation, Netanyahu began briefing against the left’s territorial concessions while still airborne, but the far right was unimpressed, toppling his government and effectively crowning Labor’s Ehud Barak prime minister.

Netanyahu’s latest visit to Washington, the third of his current (and sixth) term, ended with a big question mark, with not a single joint statement being released, let alone a hostage deal. Instead, we were treated to a mutual admiration society.

Netanyahu started his charm offensive by nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump clearly savored the flattery, despite the fact that nomination by a prime minister under international arrest warrant will do more harm than good to his peace prize prospects. Then came the mezuzah shaped like a B-2 bomber, admittedly a poor substitute for the Qatari luxury jet. Amid the cloying exchange of compliments and gifts, some couldn’t help but wonder why Netanyahu had come.