Biden assures unwavering support for Israel during Herzog meeting.

President‍ Joe Biden ‌reaffirmed his​ commitment ⁢to supporting​ the U.S.–Israel ‌alliance in a White House ‌meeting⁤ with ‌Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

“My⁣ love​ for​ Israel is deep-rooted, long-lasting,”‌ Mr. Biden said ⁢on July 18, seated beside⁢ Mr. Herzog. “And ​as I⁤ affirmed ⁣to⁣ Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu yesterday, ‍America’s⁤ commitment to ‍Israel‌ is firm.‌ And ⁤it‍ is ironclad.”

Mr. Herzog is‍ in Washington in honor‍ of⁤ the​ 75th anniversary‌ of ‍the founding of the state ​of ⁢Israel.⁤ He will meet‌ also with Vice President Kamala⁣ Harris‌ and⁤ address a joint ⁢assembly⁣ of Congress.

Following ‌the ‌one-on-one with Mr. Biden, Mr. Herzog​ characterized the meeting in glowing ⁢terms.

“My dear⁢ friends, I had‌ a⁢ wonderful meeting with President ⁤Biden. President ‌Biden is a⁤ huge⁤ friend of the state of Israel,” ‌Mr. Herzog told reporters.

“I am reminded of⁤ how ‍he landed with Air⁣ Force ‌One⁣ in Israel a ‍year ago in July. As he was walking down​ Air Force ​One, he‌ was waving⁣ to ‍me and ‌saying, I’m‍ home. I’m back ‌home. And indeed, ‍President Biden ‌reiterated⁢ his​ ironclad commitment ​and his⁣ friendship​ and love of the ⁣state of Israel‍ and his support for ⁣the state of Israel.”

The​ remarks from both ​men may have ‌been intended⁤ to counter criticism​ from both the political ⁢right and ‌left ⁢over what would seem to have ⁣been an ​ordinary diplomatic visit. Instead, it provided an occasion for political‍ opponents to question ‌Mr. ‍Biden’s‌ attitude both ‌toward ⁣a longtime‌ U.S. ally⁤ and for ⁤members of his ‌own⁤ party to speak​ out about alleged human rights abuses.

Critics‍ on the⁤ Right

Mr.‍ Biden‍ had been criticized for saying‍ in March that he would‌ not invite ​Mr. ⁣Netanyahu⁢ to⁢ the ⁣White House “in​ the ​near term”⁢ due to ​his⁢ attempts to overhaul ​the ​Israeli judicial ⁤system. The prime minister‍ has⁤ since ‍dropped ⁤some ‌parts of the proposal.

Meanwhile,​ House ⁢Speaker ⁣Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) invited ‌Mr. Herzog to address a joint assembly​ of Congress in honor ⁤of Israel’s anniversary.‌ Mr. Biden ‌later invited ⁢Mr. Herzog to ​the White House.

Critics ‍have seen⁤ Mr.‌ Biden’s unwillingness ‍to invite⁣ Mr. Netanyahu⁤ to the ⁣White House as⁣ a snub ⁤to ⁣the Israeli prime minister,‌ an interpretation shared​ by ​Mr.⁤ McCarthy.

“We ‍invited Herzog in ‍the ‍last Congress​ to⁤ come, ⁤based upon the 75th ⁤anniversary.⁤ So ‌the President⁢ of Israel’s coming has nothing to do with Bibi Netanyahu,”⁤ said Mr. ⁢McCarthy. “But I ⁤have said when I ‍was in ⁢Israel⁢ speaking ‌at the ‍Knesset, if President​ Biden snubs Prime Minister ⁤Netanyahu, ⁤I ​will⁤ gladly⁣ invite Netanyahu to‌ America.”

Mr. Biden ‌and Mr. Netanyahu spoke‍ by phone ⁣on July 17 in an ‌apparent attempt ‌to belay that‌ reading of events. ​White ⁤House Press ‌Secretary​ Karine Jean-Pierre said on July 18 that the ​two leaders would⁣ meet ⁤at some​ point this year.

Critics on the ‍Left

At the same ⁢time,‍ several progressive members ⁤of Congress have⁢ criticized the ‌Israeli president’s ​visit due to ​concerns ⁢about Israel’s treatment of ⁤Palestinians.

“I don’t think Israel has gone far enough in ‌protecting and ⁤uplifting Palestinian⁣ rights and Palestinian lives,” Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) told ​The⁤ Epoch Times.

“The ‍Israeli government is responsible‍ for‍ enforcing an apartheid state‍ and⁣ rampantly⁢ abusing the ‍rights of Palestinians,” Rep. Cori ⁤Bush ​(D-Mo.) ‍wrote ​on ⁢Twitter on July‌ 13.

Rep.‍ Pramila ⁣Jayapal ​(D-Wash.) referred to⁣ Israel‍ as⁣ a ⁣“racist state”​ on⁤ July 15,‌ a ⁣remark​ for⁢ which⁤ she ⁤later apologized.

Mr. Bowman