Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Netanyahu's White House Visit Called A "Hazing"
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 26, 2010
Modified Mar 26, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 26, 2010
Modified Mar 26, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
With U.S.-Israel relations very frayed, Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington D.C. this week, delivering a speech at the AIPAC conference (where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also spoke) and meeting with President Obama. However, the White House meeting didn't go very well, if you believe the press from Israel, which has been likening it to a "hazing" and an "ambush." According to the Telegraph, Israel's Maariv newspaper wrote, "There is no humiliation exercise that the Americans did not try on the prime minister and his entourage. Bibi received in the White House the treatment reserved for the president of Equatorial Guinea."
Supposedly, behind closed doors, Obama gave Netanyahu a list of 13 demands, including not building settlements in East Jerusalem, the event that sparked the White House's distrust. The Telegraph reports, "When the Israeli prime minister stalled, Mr Obama rose from his seat declaring: 'I'm going to the residential wing to have dinner with Michelle and the girls,'" though Politico says, "Israeli officials let it be known that the talks had broken for Obama to put his daughters to bed, then resumed."
Then, the pair had another meeting; a BBC reporter traveling with Netanyahu wrote, "The following morning, all media engagements for Netanyahu were cancelled. His staff wouldn't say a word, but it was written all over their faces that things were not good for the prime minister." Also there were no photo ops or press releases from the White House: Per NPR, "One [Israeli] commentator described the Obama administration as treating the Israeli leader with 'swinish contempt'."
Veteran U.S. peace negotiator Aaron David Miller told Politico, “What you’re witnessing in the U.S.-Israeli relationship is what happens when neither side has an effective strategy to manage the issues that divide them. If they don’t find one, this is going to look more like a soap opera than serious policy in the next six to eight months.” The Washington Post, which has a story on Netanyahu's bind, spoke to an Israeli peace negotiator who said, Netanyahu "pushed the envelope with Obama" and now that Obama has pushed back, Netanyahu is worried and afraid."
Today, Netanyahu's spokesman said that a "list of understandings" had been reached with Obama, adding "The construction policy will not change, but Israel is prepared to make additional steps in order to advance peace talks." Netanyahu is scheduled to return to the U.S. next month.
Tagged
benjamin netanyahu
East Jerusalem
israel
middle east
palestine
president obama
White House
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. ET
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
News
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .