A Tale of Two Capitals: Conflicting Agendas in Washington and Jerusalem

As leaders prepare for a crucial summit, a tale of two capitals is unfolding, with conflicting agendas in Washington and Jerusalem threatening to derail efforts to end the Gaza war. The White House meeting on Monday will be a direct confrontation between these divergent priorities.
In Washington, the agenda is driven by a desire for regional stability and a landmark diplomatic achievement. President Donald Trump and his administration have invested heavily in a 21-point peace plan, viewing it as the best way to end the conflict, secure U.S. interests, and foster a broader Arab-Israeli peace. The American priority is a comprehensive, negotiated settlement.
In Jerusalem, the agenda is dominated by security concerns and domestic politics. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is focused on the complete military defeat of Hamas, which it sees as an existential threat. The Israeli priority is a decisive military victory that re-establishes deterrence and ensures long-term security on its southern border.
These two agendas are fundamentally at odds. Washington’s push for a ceasefire and a political solution involving the Palestinian Authority is seen in Jerusalem as premature and risky. Conversely, Jerusalem’s insistence on continuing the war is viewed in Washington as an obstacle to a necessary and achievable peace.
Monday’s meeting will force these conflicting agendas into the same room. The challenge for Trump and Netanyahu will be to find enough common ground between their two capitals’ priorities to forge a workable path forward. Without a significant compromise, the tale of two capitals will remain one of division and deadlock.