Netanyahu’s Son Wants to Move to the US

Yair Netanyahu
Yair Netanyahu
TT

Netanyahu’s Son Wants to Move to the US

Yair Netanyahu
Yair Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son, Yair, is looking to obtain a visa that allows him to work and live in the United States, according to political sources in Tel Aviv.

Six months ago, Yair fled to Miami over his father's disapproval of his son's social media posts.

Later, reports said Yair indicated he has established his life in Florida and is currently looking for means to receive a Green Card. However, he expressed concern that his visa application would be denied because the administration of President Joe Biden is hostile to him and his family, one of his close associates told the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

He, therefore, contacted an American immigration lawyer to obtain a visa that would permit him to work and live in the United States.

Attorney Michael Wildes, a co-founder of the Wildes & Weinberg immigration policies law firm, announced via social media that Yair, an “internationally renowned political speaker and journalist in Israel and abroad,” according to the firm's website, is now counted among his clients.

The reports about Yair’s efforts to obtain a visa to the US were also confirmed by a political source who had a discussion with Netanyahu’s son and his wife, Sara, at the London wedding of the son of Zak and Candida Gertler, who are close to the Netanyahu family.

“I heard him say he was interested in working in the US long-term but expressed concern that his visa application would be denied due to strained Israel-US relations,” the source said.

Yair denied he had spoken about the strained relations between Israel and the US and refused to comment about his intention to obtain a work visa.

Yair is known to be a controversial figure and his far-right political positions and his hostility to his father’s opponents. His rude comments often negatively affected the Israeli PM. He had published provocative statements against the Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy and accused the army of attempting a coup against his father.

He also accused the US administration, led by Biden, of conspiring to overthrow his father's government.

Former Israeli deputy foreign minister Danny Ayalon said Yair is not only a disobedient boy, “but in Washington, they consider him a toxic substance in the relations between his father and the White House.”

In March, Yair fled to Miami. Reports said he has established his life in Florida and currently has no plans to return to Israel.



Reactions to the ICC warrants

An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL
An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL
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Reactions to the ICC warrants

An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL
An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL

These are reactions to the International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Ibrahim al-Masri, who is believed to be dead.

The warrants are for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel's military campaign in Gaza since then.

ISRAEL:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office:
"Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions leveled against it by ICC," the office said, calling the move antisemitic.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog:
"The decision chose the side of terrorism and evil over democracy and freedom and turned the international justice system itself into a human shield for Hamas' crimes against humanity."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar:
"A dark moment for the International Criminal Court," Saar said, adding the court had "lost all legitimacy" and adding that it had issued "absurd orders without authority".

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid:
"Israel defends its life against terrorist organizations that attacked, murdered and raped our citizens, these arrest warrants are a reward for terrorism."

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich:
"Israel will continue to defend its citizens and its security with determination," he said, urging Netanyahu to sever contact with the court and impose sanctions on the Palestinian Authority and its leaders "to the point of its collapse".

Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir:
"The International Criminal Court in The Hague shows once again that it is antisemitic through and through."

PALESTINIANS:

Hamas official statement:
"We call on the International Criminal Court to expand the scope of accountability to all criminal occupation leaders."

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim:
"This is an important step on the path to justice and bringing justice to the victims but it remains a limited and spiritual step if it is not backed practically by all countries."

UNITED STATES:
Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President-elect Trump: "The Court is a dangerous joke. It is now time for the US Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible body."

EUROPE:
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the ICC warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant are not political and the court decision should be respected and implemented.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told parliament, "The Netherlands obviously respects the independence of the ICC," adding: "We won't engage in non-essential contacts and we will act on the arrest warrants. We fully comply with the Rome Statute of the ICC," he added.

France's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said the French reaction to the warrants would be "in line with ICC statutes" but declined to say whether France would arrest the leader if he came to the country. "It's a point that is legally complex," he said.

Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, "It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a judicious manner. I have confidence that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards."

Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris called the warrants "an extremely significant step" and added that Ireland respects the role of the ICC and anyone in a position to assist it in carrying out its vital work must do so "with urgency".

MIDDLE EAST:
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC rulings should be respected and implemented, adding that "Palestinians deserve justice".