Biden discusses Iran and judicial reform with Netanyahu ahead of Israeli President’s visit.
President Biden’s Call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
U.S. President Joe Biden recently had a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, covering a wide range of important topics. This call took place just days before President Biden’s meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
During the call, President Biden reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and condemned recent acts of terror against Israeli citizens, as stated in a readout by the White House on July 17.
One significant point of discussion was the close coordination between the U.S. and Israel to counter Iran, including joint military exercises. The White House emphasized that the U.S.-Israel alliance is crucial in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
President Biden also emphasized the need for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and improving the security situation in the West Bank. The recent anti-terrorism operation in Jenin, a city known for harboring Palestinian terrorism, was mentioned in this context.
The White House acknowledged Israel’s willingness to consider new steps to support Palestinian livelihoods and recognized the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to reassert security control in Jenin and other areas of the West Bank.
Additionally, President Biden expressed concerns over Israel’s construction of neighborhoods in the West Bank.
Furthermore, President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed on the importance of building upon Middle East peace, referencing the Abraham Accords, which saw Israel normalize ties with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.
U.S. President Joe Biden poses for a picture with Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the Presidential residence in Jerusalem on July 14, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
Israel’s Judiciary
In regards to Mr. Netanyahu’s efforts to change Israel’s judiciary, particularly its supreme court, President Biden emphasized the need for the broadest possible consensus and the importance of shared democratic values in the U.S.-Israel relationship.
The call between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu comes just days before President Herzog’s visit to Washington. President Herzog is scheduled to meet President Biden at the White House on July 18 and deliver an address to a joint session of Congress on July 19, commemorating Israel’s 75th anniversary. However, some progressive Democrats have announced their boycott of the speech.
In March, President Biden stated that he would not invite Mr. Netanyahu to the White House in the near term due to his attempts to change Israel’s judiciary. In response, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy promised to invite Mr. Netanyahu to Congress if President Biden does not reverse course.
When asked about this promise, Mr. McCarthy reiterated it on July 17, clarifying that President Herzog’s invitation to speak in Congress is unrelated to Mr. Netanyahu. He also mentioned his previous statement that if President Biden snubs Prime Minister Netanyahu, he would gladly invite Netanyahu to America.
Mr. McCarthy did not confirm whether Mr. Netanyahu would address a joint session of Congress if he were to visit.
The discussion between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu took place a week after an interview with President Biden, where he described Mr. Netanyahu’s cabinet as extreme.
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