Scoop: U.S. and Israel set to hold a virtual meeting on Rafah Monday

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios

9 hours ago


The U.S. and Israel are expected to hold a virtual meeting on Monday to discuss the Biden administration's alternative proposals to an Israeli military invasion of Rafah, four Israeli and U.S. officials told Axios.

Why it matters: The meeting, which was supposed to to take place last week, has become a contentious issue between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Biden.

The big picture: After the U.S. last week didn't veto a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages, Netanyahu announced he was cancelling the meeting in protest.

A day later, he sent quiet messages to the White House asking to reschedule. After the the White House made Netanyahu's request public, he denied such a delegation wouldbe going to the White House.

The Biden administration said an operation in Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering, could lead to mass casualties and exacerbate the humanitarian disaster on Gaza.

Between the lines: Netanyahu's closest confidant, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, told Netanyahu several times in recent days he needs to send the delegation to Washington as soon as possible to avoid further escalation of tensions with Biden.

Senior Israeli officials said holding a virtual meeting is a way for Netanyahu to "save face" and have a discussion with the White House about Rafah without sending a delegation to Washington.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/04/01/us-israel-rafah-meeting-virtual-monday

[maxsolomon]

1. Now the news he's had a Hernia repaired.

fresh off anesthesia and full of pain meds is not the time to meet with your only ally.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. It didn't seem as if he were plannng to attend in any case

There had been all kinds of news about attempts to send, then news of the withdrawal, and then the pivot to agree to some "meeting" with "a delegation" (vs him personally). Now he has an excuse to not be there (although they might pipe him in to listen assuming it goes forward).