WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday expressed his readiness to work closely with Joe Biden for the rest of his presidency, as they met for the first time for talks on a Gaza ceasefire at the White House.
“I want to thank you for the 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said. “And I look forward to discussing with you today and working with you in the months ahead.”
Biden on Sunday stunned the world when he announced to withdraw from the US presidential election, with Vice President Kamala Harris now set to be the Democratic Party’s nominee.
Netanyahu will also hold a meeting with Harris separately at the White House. The meeting comes amid speculation that if she wins the election in November the US would pursue a tougher approach on Israel’s war in Gaza.
Ties between Biden and Netanyahu are tense over Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war, however, the US president has continued strong political and military support.
Extra security measures were taken for the meeting and the White House was surrounded by metal barriers and a heavy police presence after protests started near the Capitol following Netanyahu’s speech.
Harris on Thursday denounced the unpatriotic act of burning of an American flag by protesters.
Biden in a primetime speech explaining his decision to quit the US presidential election, said that resolving the conflict in Gaza would remain his top priority.
“I’m going to keep working to end the war on Gaza, bring home all the hostages to bring peace and security to the Middle East and end this war,” the US president said.
Earlier, a senior US administration official had said that negotiations on a Gaza deal were in the final stages and that Biden would try to close some final gaps with Netanyahu.
Harris has been more outspoken regarding Israel’s conduct of the war, prompting speculation she will shift her policy as a presidential nominee.
Netanyahu will also meet Republican nominee Donald Trump on Friday at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The ex-president on Thursday morning urged Israel to quickly “finish up” its war in Gaza.
According to the Gaza health ministry, more than 39,100 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s relentless bombardment in the besieged enclave since the war started in October last year.
Meanwhile, the White House said that Biden will tell Netanyahu a ceasefire in Gaza is needed “soon”.
“We believe that… we can achieve a deal, but it’s going to require, as it always does, some leadership, some compromise and an effort to get there. The president will be reaffirming for Prime Minister Netanyahu that he believes we need to get there, and we need to get there soon,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
