Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made his way to Washington, D.C., on Monday to meet with President Barack Obama and discuss recent events in the Middle East. This travel arrangement struck a lot of controversy because Netanyahu has expressed contempt with Obama previously, according to My Way News.
Netanyahu's arrival marks the first time he has spoken to Obama since finalizing the details of the nuclear deal with Iran this past March. The two hope to discuss many topics, one being the U.S. military aid to Israel to help ease Israel's concerns, as well as "strengthening the security of the state of Israel, which the U.S. has always been committed to, while maintaining the state of Israel's comparative advantage in the face of a changing Middle East," explained Netanyahu.
However, Ran Baratz, Netanyahu's media chief, remained in the spotlight as Netanyahu left for Washington. Baratz made posts on Facebook that he believes Obama is being antisemitic. Baratz also posted on his facebook account that John Kerry, the Secretary of State, simply cannot be taken seriously.
Baratz did not joined Netanyahu in his visit to the White House. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have both expressed their resentment over the appointment of Baratz. However, Netanyahu seems to being holding any official statements on what he plans to do about Baratz behaviors until after he has returned to Israel. For now, the visit would be focused on "recent events in the Middle East," according to the Associated Press.
Many Palestinians claim that the violence they have been experiencing stems from nearly 50 years of military occupation and their disappointment in not gaining independence yet. However, this has idea hasn't lessened the rampage that has continued to take lives for nearly two months.
U.S. officials have doubt about Israel and Palestine reaching a peaceful agreement before Obama is replaced as the President, but Obama hopes to hear what Netanyahu has to say about his plans to bring peace in the future.
A total of 101 Palestinian lives have been lost, with 74 claimed by Israeli fire, and 27 others killed during fights between stone-throwers and security forces. The battle continues to rampage and so far there isn't a definitive end in sight. Eleven Israelis have been killed during this time period.
Netanyahu has stated that he is open to the idea of "possible progress with the Palestinians, or at least stabilizing the situation with them," according to the New York Times.
