In the Israeli press, there has been no small amount of handwringing over the fact that President Biden has not yet placed a phone call to Prime Minister Netanyahu—to the extent that the latter felt compelled to make statement yesterday about his confidence that relations with the Biden administration are already off to a good start. Lahav Harkov suggests that such concern is unnecessary:
The previous two presidents, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, gave Israel an inordinate amount of attention, in different ways. Obama, intent on putting “daylight” between the U.S. and Israel, pressured Israel to make concessions to the Palestinians, and then pursued a nuclear deal with Iran, . . . . Trump was much friendlier to Israel, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and facilitating the normalization of relations between Israel and four Arab states. But that embrace from a highly polarizing president . . . was, in some ways, a bear hug, the consequences of which Israel will have to deal with moving forward.
[President Biden] clearly doesn’t think becoming the umpteenth U.S. leader to negotiate peace between Israel and the Palestinians—and the pressure on Jerusalem that would inevitably come with it—is a top priority at the moment.
The mainstays of the U.S,-Israel relationship are still there, with CENTCOM Commander General Kenneth McKenzie visiting, indicating continued security cooperation between the countries. No one in power is threatening to scale any of that back.
Those who think the lack of phone call is indicative of some kind of crisis may want to consider whether it is in Israel’s interest always to be at the center of attention. . . . A little peace and quiet from Washington could do us good. America—or at least its leadership—is touting a return to normalcy. Israel might benefit from being treated like a normal American ally, as well.
Read more on Jerusalem Post: https://www.jpost.com/international/maybe-biden-is-treating-netanyahu-normally-analysis-658141