The two head of states met in Washington and looked like the strongmen they desire to be. By the way, did they swop neckties?

Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump at the white house. Screen shot: associatedpress/YouTube. Photo illustration: Just So

You wear mine and I wear yours: That seemed to be the optics witnessed at the just concluded White House press briefing of the meeting between two of the world’s most controversial leaders, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. We’re talking about neckties, fashion relics that politicians can’t seem to forsake. Seated on identical yellow armchairs, both men wore dark suits with white shirts. It was their ties that set them apart, sort of. Mr Trump’s unflattering—even if expensive—suit we have seen before, but his dusty blue tie, less so. In fact, Mr Netanyahu frequently sports a blue tie, likely as patriotic homage to the Israeli flag. His host, the current White House resident, has generally preferred the red, which is worn long and limp—his idea of power, and virulence. Mr Trump likes to be known as a billionaire. His choice of suit and tie, probably not picked by his wife, is his way of looking like one. Or to conform to MAGA’s idea of what men of wealth, but necessarily with taste, desire to be seen in.

Before they sat down, both men took in the scene in front of them, allowing the photographers to do their work. Mr Netanyahu is slightly shorter than the American president, and he is trimmer too. He wore a black suit, and it fitted him well, with shoulders that were pronounced and that sat nicely, and the length of sleeves ending at the right spot along the wrist. Mr Trump’s suit, in contrast, was an old sack of curious tailoring. In his favourite navy that looked a tad faded, his was regrettable for its inability to hold up against the standards that the wearer has claimed he adheres to. It is surprising that he has not said to his tailor: “You’re fired”. The shoulders were not sharp; they were misshapen as if from over use. The sleeves were too loose, which resulted in uncomely drapes on both sides, and they were too short too. The lapels were oddly narrow for a man of his frame. And, when the lights above him hit his chest, man boobs could be discerned.

Mr Trump’s suit, in contrast, was an old sack of curious tailoring. In his favourite navy that looked a tad faded, his was regrettable for its inability to hold up against the standards that the wearer had claimed he adheres to

Mr Netanyahu sat smiling somewhat smugly and listening rather deferentially to Mr Trump, who did much of the talking (the former’s index finger and thumb of his right hand gripping the index finger of his left, and then both hands cupped his knees, while Mr Trump’s hands were palm to palm, as if he was ready raise them in prayer). After establishing that he “deserves” the Nobel Peace Prize (“but they will never give it to me”), Mr Trump went on to describe what could possibly happen in the Gaza Strip—“we solve problems”. And, to the shock of many, said that Gazans should be moved to “a location that’s going to make people happy,” after calling their home “a demolition site”. More displacement? Actually, he did not use that word. “People should not be going back to Gaza,” he insisted. “They live like hell. Gaza has been very unlucky for them.” He did not say who created the hell or who brought on the ill luck. Later, when asked who will live in Gaza after the inhabitants are moved out, he said, “I envision the world’s people.”

And then at a separate “joint press conference”, the bombshell announcement: “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings.” He’ll even send American troops to secure the place if need be. Or realise his “Riviera of the Middle East”. We are no political experts nor geopolitical pundits, but Mr Trump’s shocking proposal sounds like ethnic cleansing and a total wipe-out of the culture that has long existed in Gaza. It is flippant of him to make such a suggestion and arrogant to think he is able to decide for the Gazans what they want. It is unfathomable that any people would agree to yet another occupation. In an earlier retort hurled at a journalist, Mr Trump said, “What do you know about anything?” We could ask the same about the President, too. The tenacious use of a hideous tie is no indication of keen insight into world affairs.