Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden met at the White House on Thursday, where Netanyahu paid tribute to “50 years of support for the state of Israel” from Biden. The meeting came after Netanyahu’s fiery speech to Congress and amid ongoing pressure to end the Israel-Gaza war.
Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Biden’s long-standing support and said he looked forward to working together on important issues in the coming months. The two leaders discussed a range of topics, including the need for a hostage release deal, the threat of Iran, and the importance of reaching compromises in peace talks.
Despite some remaining gaps in the US-Israel relationship, the countries maintain a “healthy relationship,” according to national security spokesman John Kirby. Biden and Netanyahu also addressed the recent protests against Israel, with Netanyahu condemning the demonstrators as “Iran’s useful idiots.”
The meeting highlighted the deep political divides in Washington over the Gaza war, with Democrats facing internal strife over US support for Israel. Vice President Kamala Harris, a staunch supporter of Israel, did not attend Netanyahu’s speech due to scheduling conflicts.
As tensions continue to simmer, Netanyahu is set to meet with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Florida on Friday. The visit underscores the complex dynamics at play in US-Israel relations and the challenges facing both leaders as they navigate a tumultuous geopolitical landscape.
