Something is unclear about Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's upcoming trip to Washington to meet with United States President Joe Biden.
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In a recent interview, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak was asked whether he had met with Bennett since the latter took office. He stuttered, attempted to dodge the question, but muttered that he had met the prime minister about twice. Barak's response has raised speculations about his role in relation to Bennett.
He spoke of several crucial points regarding the Iranian nuclear threat, for example: how and when will Iran be defined as a nuclear threshold state? How close is it to developing a bomb? What is the United States' course of action? The impression was that Barak had become Bennett's mentor and now instructs him on matters relating to the Islamic republic.
Political journalists have noted that Bennett has been preparing for a month and a half for his trip, examining Iran's nuclear policy.
"He is going to Washington with an open mind and is detached from opinions previously held on the subject," a major news site wrote.
This is worrying. It is a sign that Bennett does not have a clear policy on crucial matters, especially those relating to Israel's security. The prime minister himself said that there are "many issues" on the agenda, including the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
It seems that there is no practical reason for Bennett to visit the White House, for he does not intend to present to Biden with a clear outlook on these important subjects.
Why, then, is he going? Most likely, Bennett is eager to present himself to the American public as the leader of Israel and to show off to those back home that he is influential enough to walk the halls of the world's most powerful building.
In short, nothing matters more to Bennett at the moment than his trip to Washington – not even quelling the coronavirus pandemic or ensuring Israel's safe future.
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