Netanyahu Heads to D.C. to 'Anchor Bipartisan Support' for Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took off on Monday for
Washington, where he will seek to solidify bipartisan support for the
Jewish state on the backdrop of President Joe Biden's decision to drop
out of the 2024 election.
"I am leaving this for a very important trip to the United States at a
time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts and when there is great
political uncertainty in Washington," said Netanyahu on the tarmac
before boarding his flight.
"I will seek to anchor the bipartisan support that is so important
for Israel. And I will tell my friends on both sides of the aisle that
regardless of who the American people choose as their next president,
Israel remains America's indispensable and strong ally in the Middle
East," he added.
Netanyahu noted that he will meet with Biden at the White House,
despite the U.S. president's decision not to seek a second term in
office and as the 81-year-old Democrat recovers from COVID-19
"This will be an opportunity to thank him for the things he did for
Israel in the war and during his long and distinguished career in public
service, as senator, vice president and president," said Netanyahu.
"It will also be an opportunity to discuss with him how to advance in
the critical months ahead the goals that are important for both our
countries: Achieving the release of all our hostages, defeating Hamas,
confronting the terror axis of Iran and its proxies, and ensuring that
all Israeli citizens return safely to their homes in the north and in
the south," continued the premier.
"In this time of war and uncertainty, it is important that Israel's
enemies know that America and Israel stand together — today, tomorrow,
and always," he added.
Netanyahu's office said on Sunday that the two leaders will meet on
Tuesday, ahead of the prime minister's address to a joint session of the
U.S. Congress on July 24.
The Washington meeting will be the first time Biden has hosted
Netanyahu at the White House since the Israeli leader returned to office
following the Jewish state's 2022 election.
Biden has endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, to lead the
Democratic ticket this November as she seeks the party's nomination. The
Democratic National Convention is set to kick off in Chicago next
month.
Netanyahu is expected to meet with Harris as well as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump while in Washington.
Israeli leaders and U.S. Jewish groups heaped praise on Biden on
Sunday evening, with President Isaac Herzog thanking him "for his
friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his
decades-long career."
"As the first U.S. president to visit Israel in wartime, as a
recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor and as a true ally
of the Jewish people, he is a symbol of the unbreakable bond between our
two peoples," Herzog stated.
Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defense minister, thanked Biden for his
"unwavering support of Israel over the years" and said that his
"steadfast backing, especially during the war, has been invaluable."
