President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in the Oval Office Thursday, in what could be their final face-to-face discussion before Biden leaves office. The meeting was marked by cordiality, despite underlying tensions over the ongoing Gaza conflict and broader Middle East issues.
President Biden aimed to press Netanyahu towards accepting a cease-fire deal with Hamas, a move deemed essential by the administration to halt hostilities and secure the release of hostages held by the militant group. "We feel that we've got to get this hostage deal in place so we can get a cease-fire also in place," White House national security communications adviser John Kirby stated. Biden's efforts underscored the need for compromise from both Israel and Hamas, aiming for an initial six-week cease-fire and the release of the most vulnerable hostages.
The meeting followed Netanyahu's fiery address to Congress, where he urged continued support for Israel's military actions against Hamas and criticized pro-Palestinian protesters, labeling them "Iran's useful idiots." This rhetoric has intensified the divide between supporters and critics of Israel's policies, both in the U.S. and internationally.
Biden, who recently exited the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, welcomed Netanyahu warmly. The prime minister expressed gratitude for Biden's decades of support for Israel. "Mr. President, we've known each other for 40 years, and you've known every Israeli prime minister for 50 years... I want to thank you for 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the State of Israel," Netanyahu remarked. Biden reciprocated, noting his long-standing relationship with Israeli leaders.
Vice President Harris, who did not attend Netanyahu's congressional address due to prior commitments, met with him separately. Her absence, alongside several Democrats who boycotted the speech, highlighted the internal dissent within the party regarding Netanyahu's approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
As Netanyahu spoke in Congress, pro-Palestinian protests erupted in Washington, with demonstrators replacing American flags with Palestinian ones at Union Station. The prime minister's harsh rhetoric towards these protesters drew a response from Kirby, who stated, "not a phrase we would use," when asked about Netanyahu's "useful idiots" comment.
Netanyahu faces increasing domestic criticism over his handling of the war with Hamas. Families of hostages have been vocal in their demands for a resolution, with daily protests in Jerusalem and open letters from former Israeli officials condemning Netanyahu's priorities. This internal pressure adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing negotiations.
Biden and Netanyahu also discussed broader regional issues, including the conflict between Lebanon and Israel, the stability of the West Bank, and countering Iranian influence. Following their meeting, both leaders were scheduled to meet with families of Americans held hostage by Hamas, underscoring the human element driving the urgency for a cease-fire.
The meeting came just a day after Biden's televised speech explaining his decision not to seek re-election, and less than 24 hours after Netanyahu's address to Congress. Despite their disagreements, Kirby described the relationship between Biden and Netanyahu as "healthy," acknowledging their different political traditions but highlighting their long-standing rapport and mutual respect.
