Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to Joe Biden’s “50 years of assist for the State of Israel” when he met with him on the White Home on Thursday.
The assembly got here a day after the Israeli prime minister delivered a fiery speech to Congress, the place hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outdoors.
Israeli leaders face strain at house and overseas to finish the Israel-Gaza conflict, now in its ninth month.
Mr. Netanyahu stated he has recognized Mr. Biden for 40 years and that the president has recognized each Israeli prime minister previously half century.
“From a proud Zionist to a proud Irish-American Zionist, I need to thanks for 50 years of public service and 50 years of assist for the State of Israel,” he stated.
Mr Netanyahu additionally stated he seemed ahead to working with Mr Biden within the coming months “on the massive points earlier than us”.
The US president joked that Golda Meir was the primary Israeli prime minister he had ever met, and his successor Yitzhak Rabin was additionally current as an aide.
The assembly between the 2 comes after months of tensions over the Gaza conflict, with Biden reportedly telling Israel in Might that “sufficient is sufficient.”
Netanyahu stated in June that it was “inconceivable” that the Biden administration “has been withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel.”
At a information convention, nationwide safety spokesman John Kirby stated Biden and Netanyahu mentioned the pressing want for a hostage launch deal, the potential for the battle spilling into Lebanon, the risk from Iran and a peaceable “compromise” Necessity talks.
Though Kirby added that “there are nonetheless gaps” within the U.S.-Israel relationship, the 2 nations have a “wholesome relationship.”
“What I imply by wholesome is that they will not agree on all the things,” Mr. Kirby stated. “he [Mr Biden] He’s very glad together with his relationship with the Prime Minister.
Netanyahu additionally plans to fulfill with Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee after Biden introduced he was withdrawing from the re-election marketing campaign.
Netanyahu spoke within the Home of Representatives on Wednesday to defend Israel’s conflict in Gaza whereas attempting to win assist from U.S. politicians.
“Our enemies are your enemies,” he stated, denouncing the protesters as “Iranian helpful idiots.”
The White Home pushed again on Netanyahu’s characterization of the protesters, with Kirby saying it was “not the language we might use” and “doesn’t mirror our view of the “principally peaceable” protests.
1000’s of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of Washington, accusing Netanyahu of being a “conflict legal.”
Their loudspeakers and chants might be clearly heard within the White Home as Netanyahu arrived on Thursday.
Police arrested 23 folks, together with 5 contained in the Capitol.
Mr Netanyahu’s speech sometimes drew loud applause, principally led by Republicans.
The Gaza conflict has deepened political divisions in Washington and led to infighting amongst Democrats, whose progressive wing has criticized U.S. assist for Israel.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was noticed sitting within the viewers holding an indication that learn “Dedicated Genocide.”
The White Home stated Ms Harris didn’t attend Mr Netanyahu’s speech resulting from a scheduling battle.
As an alternative, she spent a part of the day addressing a crowd at Zeta Phi Beta, a traditionally black sorority.
Ms. Harris expressed unwavering assist for Israel. Nevertheless, this stance has come at a political price to Democrats.
In the course of the presidential primaries, lots of of hundreds of protest votes have been solid towards Biden, hoping he would halt army help to Israel.
Some folks angered by his conflict stance see Ms. Harris as a chance to heal rifts inside the social gathering and win again votes.
Mr Netanyahu is anticipated to fulfill Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
