When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago this week, the encounter will mark more than a diplomatic reunion. For Netanyahu, it’s the opening act of his 2026 reelection bid, in which the US President is positioned to play a starring role. More recently, Trump championed Netanyahu’s pardon campaign, publicly appealing to Israeli President Isaac Herzog during an October address to the Knesset celebrating the Gaza ceasefire. Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesThe episode set off a Likud-aligned campaign that culminated in Netanyahu’s own formal request for clemency. The Gaza ceasefire deal, credited to Trump’s mediation and determination, only strengthened the US president’s Israeli brand.

Source: Egypt Independent December 28, 2025 15:28 UTC