In a significant development, US President Joe Biden reached out to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday, breaking a seven-month period of refraining from extending such an invitation. The Prime Minister’s Office, however, notably did not confirm that the meeting would occur at the White House, which had been Netanyahu’s hope. Recent speculation suggests that the two leaders might convene on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly high-level week in September, where both are expected to be present in New York.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the invitation was extended during a “warm and lengthy” conversation, marking the first time the two leaders had spoken in four months. Prime Minister Netanyahu promptly accepted the invitation, and both leaders agreed to instruct their respective staff to coordinate a suitable date for the meeting. This development signals a potential thaw in the strained relationship between the two countries and opens up the possibility of crucial discussions between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu on a range of pressing issues.
The White House readout of President Biden’s call with Israel’s PM Netanyahu:
Press release from PM Netanyahu’s “warm conversation” this evening:
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden had a long and warm conversation this evening.
The conversation focused on bolstering the strong bond between the nations; thwarting threats from Iran and its proxies; expanding the circle of peace; and the continued efforts to deescalate and stabilize the situation in Judea and Samaria (renewing the Aqaba–Sharm El-Sheikh process).
The Prime Minister updated the President of the United States on the bill that is slated to be passed next week by the Knesset and on his intention to reach wide public support for the rest of the reform during the summer recess.
President Biden invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet soon in the United States. The Prime Minister accepted the invitation and it was agreed that Israeli and American teams will coordinate the details of the meeting.”
Either you adopt Biden’s suicidal policies or you’re an extremist. That’s what the moron says above conservative here and Israel abroad. Leave Israel and the democratically elected Netanyahu alone, you jerk. What’s your constant focus on the one Jewish state about anyway, Biden?… https://t.co/GEjSrtKJwJ
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) July 9, 2023
Biden is selling out the U.S. and Israel to a nuclear Iran. The only one standing up against this insanity it Netanyahu, which is why Biden’s media hounds here and in Israel are attacking Netanyahu. Congress must immediately hold hearings with administration witnesses and get to…
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) July 13, 2023
US President Biden has invited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit the US in a phone call between the two leaders this evening@owenalterman has the latest on Biden's invitation and the 'warm and long conversation' between the two leaders#TheRundown | @calev_i24 pic.twitter.com/zxXD5Vg0FS
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) July 17, 2023
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) says President Biden needs to “butt out” of Israel’s judicial reforms and “let Israel govern itself.”
“As president, I will welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu to come visit the White House and we will welcome being able to go to Israel,” DeSantis says. pic.twitter.com/dckt0R6ibg
— The Recount (@therecount) July 17, 2023
