Suggested:
Netanyahu to Be First Foreign Leader to Visit Trump in Second Term
US President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to be the first foreign leader to visit the White House during his second term. The meeting, scheduled for February 4th, will focus on discussing peace efforts in the region and strategies to counter shared adversaries.
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#### **Trump’s Letter Highlights Shared Goals**
In a letter to Netanyahu, Trump emphasized the importance of strengthening US-Israel relations. “It will be my honour to host you as my first foreign leader during my second term,” the letter stated. The two leaders are expected to address the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza and long-term peace negotiations, which many fear could collapse, leading to renewed violence.
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#### **Netanyahu’s ICC Controversy Looms Over Visit**
Netanyahu’s visit comes amid accusations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of war crimes, including targeting civilians and using starvation as a method of warfare during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Over 120 ICC member countries, including most of Europe, are obligated to arrest Netanyahu if he enters their territory. However, the US, not being an ICC member, has no such obligation.
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#### **Trump’s Shifting Stance on Gaza**
Trump has expressed skepticism about the sustainability of the Gaza ceasefire. In recent remarks, he suggested that the Gaza Strip could be “cleaned out,” with over 1.5 million people relocated to other Arab countries. These comments have sparked concerns about potential ethnic cleansing in the region.
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#### **US-Israel Relations Under Trump**
Despite a historically tense personal relationship, Trump and Netanyahu have maintained strong diplomatic ties. Trump recently lifted a ban on supplying Israel with bombs, which had been imposed by the Biden administration in response to Israel’s excessive use of force in Gaza. This move underscores Trump’s unwavering support for Israel.
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#### **Federal Workforce Shake-Up Announced**
In a separate development, the Trump administration announced a “deferred resignation program” aimed at reducing the size of the federal workforce. The program offers financial incentives to two million civilian federal employees to resign by September 30th. Critics argue that this move is part of Trump’s broader effort to reshape the federal government to align with his political priorities.
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#### **Criticism and Concerns Over Federal Workforce Changes**
The National Treasury Employees Union has warned federal workers against resigning, calling the program an attempt to “entice or scare” employees into leaving. Meanwhile, Trump signed an executive order making it easier to fire federal workers by reclassifying their job status, further fueling concerns about job security.
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#### **Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for US-Israel Relations**
Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the White House marks a significant moment in US-Israel relations, even as controversies surrounding the ICC and Gaza ceasefire negotiations loom large. Meanwhile, Trump’s domestic policies continue to stir debate, particularly his efforts to downsize the federal workforce.
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This news highlights key developments in US-Israel relations and domestic policy changes under the Trump administration. For further updates, stay tuned to *The Irish Times*.
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