‘Hard Issues’ Conversations with Israeli PM Netanyahu by Joe Biden

In their first meeting since Netanyahu’s victory in December, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attempted to defuse months of animosity.

At the beginning of the meeting, which was conducted in New York on the fringes of the UN General Assembly since Biden refused to extend an invitation to the White House, the two leaders shook hands in front of the US and Israeli flags.

In response to criticism of the contentious judicial changes implemented by the extreme-right Israeli government, Biden said he would discuss “hard issues” with Netanyahu, such as defending democratic norms.

A bold initiative to mend fences between Israel and its longtime enemy Saudi Arabia will also be discussed. According to Netanyahu, a “historic peace” is now feasible.

At the beginning of the meeting, Biden informed the media, “Today, we’re going to discuss some of the hard issues, that is, upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership.”

The US president extended a hand of goodwill by proposing a meeting at the White House in the near future, saying: “I hope we will see each other in Washington by the end of the year.”

Democratic presidential candidate Biden has previously called Netanyahu’s hard-right administration “one of the most extremist” in Israeli history and condemned judicial reform proposals that have provoked widespread demonstrations in Israel.

The Israeli government’s construction of Jewish colonies in occupied Palestinian lands has further strained relations.

‘Historic peace’

The United States has long supported the Jewish state, which is a major partner of itss in the Middle East, but both parties are eager to mend fences in their relationship.

According to Biden, “even where we have some differences, my commitment to Israel, you know, is ironclad,” and they will also talk about ways to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Additionally, Biden has been pressuring Israel to accept a desired peace agreement with Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu stated, “I believe we can establish a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia under your leadership, Mr. President.

“Such a peace would go a long way toward advancing the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieving peace between the Islamic world and the Jewish state, and advancing a real peace between Israel and the Palestinians,” the UN statement reads.

Since the Israeli prime minister launched his electoral return in December at the helm of a coalition of hard-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, relations between Netanyahu and the Biden administration have been tense.

In a recent open letter, David Grossman and other Israeli intellectuals urged Biden not to meet with Netanyahu. This is problematic for the Democratic president, who needs the liberal establishment’s support before the elections next year.

In what seemed to be a jab at Netanyahu, Biden visited Isaac Herzog, a moderate Israeli president, in the Oval Office in July.

Even this year, there was a spat when Netanyahu claimed to have received an invitation to the White House; however, the White House later clarified that the two would only meet “in the United States.”