Benjamin Netanyahu Meets Joe Biden: Thank You for 50 Years of Support for Israel

On Thursday, August 4, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. This was Netanyahu's first visit to the White House since before the departure of former President Donald Trump in 2020. A senior U.S. official stated on Wednesday, August 3, that Biden would emphasize his 'unwavering commitment to Israel's security' during the meeting and discuss threats to Israel from Iran-backed groups in the Middle East, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi militants in Yemen. In his speech to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, Netanyahu called for strengthening U.S. support in the fight against Hamas and other Iran-backed groups, stating, 'Israel fights in its battle against the Islamic Republic for America's interests.' In brief remarks before meeting with Biden, Netanyahu referenced their four-decade acquaintance, saying, 'You have known every Israeli Prime Minister since Golda Meir for fifty years. Therefore, I want to thank you on behalf of a proud Zionist Jew to a proud Irish-American Zionist for 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the State of Israel, and I look forward to discussing with you today and working with you on the significant issues ahead in the coming months.' Biden also spoke on Wednesday in a televised address after announcing his withdrawal from the upcoming presidential election, saying, 'I will continue to work to end the war in Gaza, bring all hostages home, establish peace and security in the Middle East, and end this war.' It is expected that the leaders of the U.S. and Israel will discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza and increased humanitarian aid, as well as efforts to ensure a ceasefire, including halting hostilities and the release of Hamas hostages. The two leaders will then meet with families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza. This is the first time Biden and Netanyahu have met face-to-face since the U.S. President's visit to Israel in October, following the Hamas attack on Israel. U.S. media reported that Vice President Kamala Harris would also meet separately with Netanyahu on Thursday, August 4, intending to demonstrate her capability to serve as Commander-in-Chief. Harris criticized and expressed anger at protesters who, during Netanyahu's presence in Washington, marked areas around the U.S. Capitol with pro-Hamas slogans and burned the U.S. flag. Analyst Ilan Berman assessed Netanyahu's speech as an effort to clarify Israeli policy and strengthen the relationship between the two countries.