Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today (Thursday) with U.S. President Joe Biden, marking the first time during Netanyahu’s current term that the two leaders have met at the White House in Washington. Later in the evening, Netanyahu and Biden will also meet with families of hostages who hold American citizenship.
At the start of the meeting, Netanyahu told Biden: "Mr. President, we have known each other for 40 years, and you have known all of Israel's previous Prime Ministers for 50 years, since Golda Meir. From me, a proud Jewish Zionist, to you, a proud Irish-American Zionist, thank you very much for 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the State of Israel. I look forward to our conversation today and to working with you in the coming months on the important challenge we face."
In response, Biden told the Prime Minister: "We have a lot to discuss. I remember my first meeting with Golda, with a young aide named Yitzhak Rabin sitting beside her."
Last night, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Netanyahu and Biden "will discuss developments in the Gaza war and progress toward a ceasefire and an agreement for the release of hostages." It was also stated that the American President would "emphasize the U.S. commitment to Israel's security, including responses to Iranian threats against Israel and the Middle East."
After the meeting with the hostage families, Netanyahu is expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris. Following that, Netanyahu will leave Washington for Miami, where he will meet with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago tomorrow.