Biden, Netanyahu likely to meet in Washington during Israeli PM's visit in July - Firstpost

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden. Reuters File

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden are expected to meet in Washington later this month, when the Israeli premier travels to the United States to address a joint session of Congress.

“The president has known Prime Minister Netanyahu for 30 years. They will probably see each other when the prime minister is here later this week, but we have nothing to announce at this time,” he added. Israel’s Time The report cites a White House official.

Netanyahu is scheduled to address the joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate on July 24 during a visit to Washington.

According to a CNN The report, which first reported a possible meeting between Biden and Netanyahu, said logistical details of their expected meeting at the White House were still being finalized.

While the United States has maintained its strong support for Israel, both diplomatically and by supplying weapons in the Gaza war, Biden has repeatedly expressed concerns about Israel’s conduct.

For example, he once called Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza indiscriminate, while on another occasion calling its military response “over the top.”

In a call with Netanyahu in April after the killing of aid workers, Biden urged him to take more steps to protect civilians in Gaza, saying U.S. policy could change if he did not.

Republicans criticized Biden, a Democrat, for this and called for increased support for Israel.

International criticism is mounting of Israel’s conduct and US support for its ally in a war that has already killed tens of thousands and created a humanitarian crisis.

Nearly 38,000 people have been killed in the Gaza war, according to the local health ministry, and many more are likely buried under the rubble, with nearly the entire enclave razed and most of its 2.3 million residents displaced. Gaza is also suffering famine. The war has given rise to allegations of genocide that Israel denies.

The Israeli assault on Gaza began after the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 hostages in the Hamas-ruled enclave, according to Israeli tallies.

With contributions from agencies

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