Concluding his Feb. 15 meeting with US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surely felt satisfied. Back at the official Blair House guest residence, he could have made the Winston Churchill "V for Victory" sign to his entourage; he achieved everything he came for. But the advisers who prepared the meeting are the ones who merit these self-congratulations, in addition to the meeting Trump held on Feb. 9 with Netanyahu’s patron billionaire Sheldon Adelson. Both Trump and Netanyahu hate surprises.

In Washington, Netanyahu received friendly statements and a show of a warm welcome to a major ally; all this was much different than any of the past meetings he had with President Barack Obama.

But beyond these exterior signs, Netanyahu achieved much more. Netanyahu is now reassured that he can continue the current policies of settlement expansion. More so, as far as the Trump administration is concerned, the concept of settlement blocs — generally perceived as east of the separation fence — remains undefined. This clearly indicates the lack of any American obsession with a two-state solution. Netanyahu’s government is now immune to any possibility of a UN Security Council resolution or an effective international intervention in favor of a two-state solution.

On Iran, Netanyahu received reassurances that the United States will adopt more rigid monitoring of the agreement, in coordination with Israel, and that it will initiate new sanctions on Iran’s missile development and Iran’s support of terror. Netanyahu was also told that US security assistance and cooperation will be better than ever. Israel in Trump’s view is again a strategic asset.