2024-07-19 13:29:49
“We hope that the two leaders will have an opportunity to meet when Prime Minister Netanyahu arrives,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
Mr Netanyahu is due to address the US Congress on Wednesday, and Israeli media reported that a meeting with Mr Biden was planned for Monday, but Mr Kirby said he could not say at this time “what it will look like”. “We must ensure that the president’s health and his recovery from COVID-19 are a priority,” he said.
Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip should be at the top of the meeting’s agenda. Ahead of Netanyahu’s visit, Israeli lawmakers passed a symbolic resolution rejecting the creation of a Palestinian state. The move, criticized by the United Nations, runs counter to US ambitions in the region.
“I think the best way to respond to this is to simply reiterate our strong belief in the power and prospect of a two-state solution,” Mr Kirby said when asked about Thursday’s vote.
“We will continue to do everything we can to achieve this result,” he assured.
Mr. Biden, who contracted COVID-19, is showing mild symptoms, Mr. Kirby said. The president has had to pause campaign events as he faces increasingly loud calls from Democrats to withdraw from the election.
Mr Kirby said the political turmoil and illness had not affected Mr Biden’s duties.
2024-07-19 13:29:49