A close aide to the Israeli prime minister reportedly briefed Donald Trump and Jared Kushner this week Israel Wants to Push Lebanon Ceasefire Deal as ‘Gift’ for the president-elect – according to the Washington Post citing three Israeli officials with knowledge of the bilateral meetings.
THE Ron Dermerstrategic affairs minister Netanyahu visited Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, the first stop on his US tour, before coming to the White House to brief Biden administration officials on the status of talks on Lebanon.
Trump gave conflicting messages about the policy he is expected to continue in the Middle East. On the one hand, he has declared that he wants to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, on the other hand, in his telephone conversation with Netanyahu last month, he urged him “what has to be done his” against Hezbollah and Hamas. .
“Netanyahu is not committed to Biden and he will focus on promoting his favor with Trump alonenotes Frank Lowenstein, former special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations under President Barack Obama who served during the transition to the first Trump administration. As he said, if 2016 is any indication, “Trump will not hesitate to act like he is already president when he sees an opportunity.”
In a statement on Sunday, Netanyahu said he had spoken with Trump three times in the past few days and that the two saw “great opportunities for Israel, especially to promote peace” - an unexpected statement after more than a year of war in Gaza and six weeks ago the expansion of Israel’s military operation in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah.
As the Washington Post notes, Israel’s prime minister preparing for a new era in Washington long before the November 5 election declared Donald Trump the winner. It’s in regular communication with the newly elected presidentaccording to Israeli officials, and Dermer by Kushner – who brokered normalized deals between four Arab states and Israel during Trump’s first term and maintains personal and financial ties to the region.
Although he will not hold an institutional position in the White House, Kushner is expected to play a role advisory role in future negotiations to normalize Israel’s relations with Saudi Arabia, according to a former Trump official.
On Sunday, the Israeli official said, talks focused on Trump’s residence in Florida on an Israeli ceasefire proposal for Lebanon – including Western and Russian cooperation.
Another Israeli military official said that plans to boost land-based businesses are also being considered in Lebanon, should the talks fall apart.
Among the terms of the agreement, according to Israeli officials, is the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters beyond the Litani River – the northern edge of a UN-controlled no-fly zone created after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. It is noted , since October 2023, following attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel, Lebanese militants used the area as a base to launch thousands of rockets and missiles into Israeli territory – killing dozens of people, civilians and soldiers and forcing an estimated 60,000 people to flee their homes.
A person close to Hezbollah said it is a Lebanese organization she would be happy to withdraw her fighters north of Litani under a temporary truce. According to Israeli officials, the Lebanese army will take control of the border zone for an initial period of 60 days, under the supervision of the United States and Britain.
Lowenstein believes that Netanyahu it is not out of the question whether he could make a temporary arrangement while Biden is still in officeleaving though the final arrangements for Trump so that he can also take credit for the diplomatic success.
“The only thing that Netanyahu cares about most is his own domestic politics, and getting Israeli citizens back to the north is an important goal that he may not want to wait to achieve,” said he.
Source: Washington Post
What are the potential consequences of Netanyahu’s ceasefire proposal for Lebanon on U.S.-Israel relations?
Time.news Interview: Setting the Stage for Middle East Diplomacy with Expert Frank Lowenstein
[Time.news Editor]: Welcome, Frank. It’s a pleasure to have you with us to discuss the recent developments surrounding Israel, Lebanon, and the potential impact the incoming Biden administration may have on Middle Eastern diplomacy.
[Frank Lowenstein]: Thank you for having me. It’s an important time for this dialogue, especially given the shifting dynamics in the region.
[Editor]: Recent reports have indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is positioning a ceasefire proposal for Lebanon as a sort of “gift” for President-elect Trump. What do you make of this strategy?
[Lowenstein]: It’s not surprising. Netanyahu has always adeptly played the game with U.S. administrations. He sees a window of opportunity with Trump and is looking to capitalize on it. This could also be an attempt to show goodwill, promoting peace while also affirming Israel’s military posture against threats like Hezbollah.
[Editor]: You mentioned the military posture; Trump has been known to send mixed messages regarding his approach to the Middle East, insisting on ending conflicts while simultaneously encouraging action against groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. How does this conflict manifest in his policies?
[Lowenstein]: That ambivalence is a hallmark of Trump’s foreign policy style. Trump loves the idea of being a dealmaker, and it seems he’d prefer to present a peace initiative while simultaneously using strong-arm tactics. It creates a contradictory narrative. However, for Netanyahu, the clarity is in his need to ensure Israel’s security, even if it means always being prepared for conflict.
[Editor]: That’s an intriguing perspective. Netanyahu’s communication with Trump seems very proactive. You noted that he might focus on gaining Trump’s favor over Biden. How do you think this will affect U.S.-Israel relations moving forward?
[Lowenstein]: I think it signals that Netanyahu is looking to secure strong support from Trump ahead of any shifts in U.S. policy that might come from a Biden administration. Historically, Netanyahu has thrived on personal relationships with U.S. presidents, especially with Trump. If he continues to court Trump, it might lead to a more unilateral approach from Israel in regional affairs, especially if Trump tries to assert himself decisively in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
[Editor]: You mentioned Jared Kushner’s potential advisory role surrounding future negotiations for Israel-Saudi relations. Considering his previous involvement and connections, what role do you see him playing in this new landscape?
[Lowenstein]: Kushner’s past experience and relationships will undoubtedly aid his advisory role. While he might not hold an official title, his influence and the trust established during the Abraham Accords could give him a significant say in shaping the outlines of normalization deals. However, working with Saudi Arabia presents unique challenges, particularly around the ongoing tensions with Iran and the desire of the Saudis for legitimate progress on Palestinian issues.
[Editor]: Speaking of tensions, what are the implications if the ceasefire proposal discussed in Mar-a-Lago doesn’t gain traction?
[Lowenstein]: Failing to secure a ceasefire would likely exacerbate tensions in Lebanon and Gaza. It may embolden militant groups, prompting further Israeli military responses. Additionally, it would set a challenging precedent for future U.S. mediation efforts. If Trump tries to project power and fails, it could diminish his credibility not just in the region, but globally.
[Editor]: That’s certainly sobering. As a final thought, what is your outlook on the Middle East following this round of negotiations?
[Lowenstein]: The landscape is complex. The Biden administration will wrestle with legacy issues, like the Israel-Palestinian conflict, while facing new dynamics emerging from recent agreements in the region. The ongoing cooperation—or lack thereof—between key players like Trump, Netanyahu, and Biden will be crucial to determining the path forward. We stand at a crossroads, and how these relationships evolve could either chart a peaceful trajectory or lead to heightened conflict.
[Editor]: Thank you, Frank. Your insights provide a deeper understanding of what’s at stake in these unfolding events. We appreciate your time and expertise today.
[Lowenstein]: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial we keep these discussions alive as events continue to unfold.