After Biden admin snub, Bezalel Smotrich arrives in U.S. for high-level meetings

After a long period in which Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was boycotted under the Biden administration, he left for a quick visit to the United States on Tuesday night, where he will meet with government officials, led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant.

From the Finance Minister's Office, Chief of Staff Saria Demsky and Spokesperson Eitan Fuld will join, both of whom have an American background.

The meeting with the US Treasury Secretary is symbolically and professionally important to Smotrich, since during his previous visit, the Biden secretary refused to meet with him, as did any official from the Biden administration.

Smotrich, who flew in early this morning, issued a statement a short while ago saying: "The purpose of the visit is to strengthen economic cooperation between Israel and the United States, to promote joint economic initiatives, and to deepen the strategic alliance between the two countries."

"In addition," Finance Minister Smotrich wrote, "I will emphasize in my meetings Israel's firm position in the fight against terror and the need for clear American backing for the continuation of our security activity in the war."

In conclusion, the minister wrote: "This visit is another layer in strengthening the strategic and economic ties between Jerusalem and Washington, out of a shared commitment to the stability and security of Israel and the entire region."