WASHINGTON (AP) — Former national security adviser Robert O’Brien said Tuesday that he and two U.S. ambassadors who served in the Trump administration met with Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other country officials.
John Rakolta, who served under Trump as ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, and Ed McMullen, who served as ambassador to Switzerland, attended the meeting. Reuters first reported the meeting.
Former President Donald Trump is the Republican Party’s presumptive 2024 presidential nominee, challenging the president Joe Bidenre-election. O’Brien notified the Biden administration about the trip, as it is routine for former senior officials.
The meeting took place at a time when US-Israel relations were reaching a low point about Biden’s decision to delay the delivery of heavy bombs. He warned that other provisions could also be suspended if Israel begins a large-scale operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
On Monday, however, both countries strongly condemned an effort by the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor to obtain arrest warrants for Israeli authorities in connection with the Gaza War. Biden said the US would support Israel.
The Gaza war has been a challenge for both leaders, whose political future is at risk.
Trump criticized Biden, accusing him of abandoning an important ally. And Biden also faces pro-Palestinian protests on campuses.
Netanyahu vowed to destroy Hamas after the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 were taken hostage. His critics blamed him for the failures of October 7th and accused him of prolonging the war for his political survival.
Trump administration advisers also met with Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid and other officials. ______
Gomez Licon reported from Miami.
