President Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Isaac Herzog on the White House Tuesday with tensions between the 2 nations mounting over Israel’s plans to overtake the nation’s judicial system.
And Mr. Biden performed host amid withering criticism from each Democrats and Republicans about his stance towards Israel.
Still, Mr. Biden used the assembly to reaffirm the U.S.’s dedication to Israel with out mentioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who’s driving the judiciary overhaul and has been snubbed by the Biden White House.
“This friendship, I believe, is just simply unbreakable,” Mr. Biden mentioned forward of the assembly with Mr. Herzog.
Mr. Herzog echoed the sentiment, assuring reporters that the nations “may have some differences” however share an “unbreakable bond.”
“I bring a message of greeting and gratitude from the people of Israel, the entire country of Israel, from all sides of the political spectrum,” he mentioned.
As he left the White House, Mr. Herzog mentioned the assembly was “beautiful” and Mr. Biden reiterated his “ironclad” dedication to Israel.
Mr. Biden spoke to Mr. Netanyahu by telephone on Monday and invited him to fulfill within the U.S. earlier than the tip of the 12 months. However, the White House wouldn’t decide to an Oval Office assembly such because the one for Mr. Herzog.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre advised reporters that she had “nothing to confirm” about when and the place the assembly would happen.
John Kirby, a White House spokesperson mentioned Monday that Mr. Biden’s invitation to Mr. Netanyahu doesn’t imply his issues have abated.
Mr. Biden has been essential of Mr. Netanyahu’s efforts to overtake Israel’s unbiased judiciary by weakening the Israeli Supreme Court’s energy over the manager and legislative branches. Mr. Biden has additionally complained about Israel’s growth of its settlements within the West Bank.
Mr. Biden not too long ago mentioned Mr. Netanyahu’s authorities contains a few of “the most extremist members of cabinets that I’ve seen.”
Meanwhile, Republicans hammered Mr. Biden for ready seven months after Mr. Netanyahu was sworn into workplace in December earlier than extending an invite.
“What this Biden administration has done, I think, has been disgraceful. The way they treat a strong ally like Prime Minister Netanyahu has been disgraceful,” mentioned Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who can also be operating for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Mr. DeSantis mentioned Mr. Biden ought to “butt out” of Mr. Netanyahu’s plans to rework the nation’s courts.
on the opposite aspect of U.S. politics, Democrats complained that there was no distinction between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Herzog, saying neither is dedicated to discovering a two-state answer with the Palestinians.
“Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s address comes on behalf of the most right-wing government in Israel’s history, at a time when the government is openly promising to ‘crush’ Palestinian hopes of statehood — essentially putting a nail in the coffin of peace and a two-state solution,” tweeted Rep. Ilhan Omar, Minnesota Democrat.
Ms. Omar pledged that she would be part of different leftwing lawmakers boycotting Mr. Herzog’s tackle to Congress on Wednesday.
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