US President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday, a US official said Monday.
Biden has been battling COVID-19 since last Wednesday, but returns to Washington on Tuesday from his beach space in Delaware. Netanyahu is heading to a joint United States congressional consultation on Wednesday.
Biden and Netanyahu are expected to discuss tactics for reaching a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, as well as between Iran and other topics.
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Earlier this week, the Israeli Prime Minister posted in X: “When I left for the United States, I thanked President Biden for the many things he did for the State of Israel during the war and his years as president, vice president, and senator. I look forward to my vital meeting with the President.
“I’m leaving for the United States at a time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts and there’s wonderful political uncertainty in Washington. I will face either house of Congress for the fourth time as Prime Minister of Israel. I will seek to consolidate the two-party system that is vital for Israel,” he added.
The Israeli prime minister congratulated the White House commander in chief: “This will be an opportunity to thank him for what he has done for Israel during the war and for his long and distinguished career in public service as a senator, vice president and president. It will also be an opportunity to speak with him about how to move forward in the critical months ahead. . . »
It will be Biden’s first meeting with a foreign leader since opting not to run and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor as the Democratic presidential nominee.
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Harris is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu this week, after Biden’s meeting.
An aide to Harris said she would emphasize to Netanyahu that it is time for the standoff in Gaza to end in a way in which “Israel is safe, all the hostages are freed, the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza ends and the rest Palestinians can enjoy their right. . ” to dignity, freedom and self-determination.