Netanyahu Seeks Support in U.S. Visit, but Will Find a Nation Distracted

With his visit to Washington this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel will step away from one political maelstrom and into another.

He is facing anger at home over the prolonged war in Gaza and failure to bring home the hostages held in the enclave. Washington is divided over Israel’s conduct of the war and treatment of the Palestinians.

But now, the U.S. government and the entire country is preoccupied by the political upheaval surrounding President Biden’s withdrawal over the weekend from the presidential race.

This was not at all what Mr. Netanyahu had in mind when he planned his first visit to Washington in almost four years. He is supposed to meet face to face with Mr. Biden, though it is unclear when. He is also expected to meet Vice President Kamala Harris, who looks set to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for president. And the Israeli leader is set to address Congress on Wednesday, hoping to shore up support in the face of increasing international censure over the war in Gaza.

“I will seek to anchor the bipartisan support that is so important for Israel,” Mr. Netanyahu said shortly before departing Israel on Monday. “In this time of war and uncertainty, it’s important that Israel’s enemies know that America and Israel stand together today, tomorrow and always.”

The timing may be complicated for the Israeli prime minister. But it is also critical that he secure Mr. Biden’s support for the months remaining in the president’s term, even as their relationship has grown testier recently as their goals in the Middle East diverge somewhat.