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 1000’s of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outdoors.
Israeli leaders face strain at dwelling and overseas to finish the Israel-Gaza conflict, now in its ninth month.
Mr. Netanyahu mentioned he has recognized Mr. Biden for 40 years and that the president has recognized each Israeli prime minister up to now half century.
“From a proud Zionist to a proud Irish-American Zionist, I wish to thanks for 50 years of public service and 50 years of assist for the State of Israel,” he mentioned.
Netanyahu additionally mentioned he regarded ahead to working with 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 telling Israel in Might that “sufficient is sufficient.”
Mr Netanyahu, for his half, mentioned 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 mentioned Biden and Netanyahu mentioned the pressing want for a hostage launch deal, the opportunity of the battle spilling into Lebanon, the risk from Iran and a peaceable “compromise” necessity.
Though Kirby added that “there are nonetheless gaps” within the U.S.-Israel relationship, the 2 international locations have a “wholesome relationship.”
“What I imply by wholesome is that they will not agree on every little thing,” Mr. Kirby mentioned. “he [Mr Biden] He’s very happy along with his relationship with the Prime Minister.
Netanyahu additionally plans to satisfy 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 mentioned, 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’d use” and “doesn’t replicate our view of the “largely peaceable” protests.
1000’s of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of Washington, accusing Netanyahu of being a “conflict felony.”
Their loudspeakers and chants may very well be clearly heard within the White Home as Netanyahu arrived on Thursday.
Police arrested 23 individuals, together with 5 contained in the Capitol.
Mr Netanyahu’s speeches sometimes drew loud applause, largely from 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 mentioned Ms Harris didn’t attend Mr Netanyahu’s speech attributable to a scheduling battle.
As a substitute, she spent a part of the day chatting with a crowd at Zeta Phi Beta, a traditionally black sorority.
Ms. Harris expressed unwavering assist for Israel. Nonetheless, this stance has come at a political price to Democrats.
In the course of the presidential primaries, lots of of 1000’s of protest votes have been solid towards Biden, hoping he would halt navy help to Israel.
Some individuals angered by his conflict stance see Ms. Harris as a possibility to heal rifts inside the get together and win again votes.
Mr Netanyahu is predicted to satisfy Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Friday.
