Netanyahu Invited to White House as Ground Offensive Begins in Gaza City

9 HOURS AGO·UPDATED 6 HOURS AGO

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Above: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2025. Image copyright: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

Despite inviting Netanyahu to the White House, Trump is actually keeping him on a short leash. By withholding concessions, pressing tariffs, and cutting Israel out of key Gulf and Iran talks, Trump shows that America — not Netanyahu — holds the cards. He’s signaling that U.S. backing isn’t unconditional, and many believe he is close to losing his patience with the Israeli president.

Financial Times Federalist

Left narrative

Trump’s White House embrace of Netanyahu, while Gaza is reduced to rubble, is not neutrality but complicity. U.S. weapons and political cover enable Israel’s onslaught, and Trump’s vanity makes him Netanyahu’s pawn. By refusing to wield American leverage, Trump hands Netanyahu a blank check for bloodshed.

The New York Times Guardian