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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Yair Lapid are both in Washington, using their time in the US capital to campaign for support ahead of Israel's October 27 elections. Their visits, which coincide with the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, have become platforms for contrasting appeals to American political figures and the broader US public.
Coverage Comparison
According to reports from the Jerusalem Post, Lapid delivered a speech on Monday at the Atlantic Council think tank, where he positioned himself as a political alternative to Netanyahu and criticized the prime minister's approach to Israel's international standing. Netanyahu, meanwhile, met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday and has been seeking support for continuing the war against Iran.
Both leaders have sought to engage with different segments of the American political spectrum. Lapid met with senior Democratic senators on Wednesday, while Netanyahu's schedule included a meeting with Trump and an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity.
Key Claims
Lapid's Atlantic Council Address
According to the Jerusalem Post, Lapid spoke at the Atlantic Council on Monday, using the appearance to portray Netanyahu's public diplomacy as "busted and harmful." Lapid argued that restoring Israel's reputation requires a change in leadership: "The first step is obvious," he said. "Send into retirement Benjamin Netanyahu and his group of extremists who are tearing us apart at home and abroad."
Lapid, who speaks fluent but accented English, has expressed his desire to become foreign minister in a future government led by Naftali Bennett as prime minister. He has also written about his connection to America in an essay published in The Atlantic about his cross-country road trips.
Netanyahu's Meetings and Iran War Effort
According to the same source, Netanyahu is in Washington to secure support for continuing and winning the war against Iran that he and Trump launched. In recorded Hebrew remarks made before leaving Israel, Netanyahu emphasized his friendship with Trump, saying, "I am on my way to Washington to a meeting with our friend the president of the United States."
Netanyahu met with Trump on Tuesday, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. He also told Fox News' Sean Hannity on Wednesday that he is not afraid to travel internationally despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest, saying he has "special forces protection."
Lapid's Meeting with Democratic Senators
The Jerusalem Post reported that Lapid met with senior Democratic senators on Wednesday, urging them not to "give up" on Israel. The meeting, led by Senator Jackie Rosen, included Senators Tim Kaine, Michael Bennett, Richard Blumenthal, Maggie Hassan, Cory Booker, Brian Schatz, Alex Peddie, John Hickenlooper, and Catherine Cortez Masto. Lapid pressed the senators to continue showing solidarity with Israel "in the face of challenges," emphasizing the importance of coordination and partnership.
US Attitudes Toward Israel
According to the Jerusalem Post, Lapid's criticism of Netanyahu's public diplomacy reflects a broader concern about Israel's standing in the US. The report suggests that Netanyahu's popularity is low in the US and that Americans are more likely to favor Palestinians than Israelis in the conflict. These claims were not independently corroborated in the provided material.
Background: Senator Lindsey Graham's Death
Both Netanyahu and Lapid traveled to Washington to attend the wake of Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away on July 11 following a sudden illness, according to the Jerusalem Post. Graham was described as one of the staunchest pro-Israel American politicians.