President Biden is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he is in Washington next week, but the White House has warned that the president’s recovery from COVID-19 will take priority.
“We have every expectation that the two leaders will have the opportunity to see each other when Prime Minister Netanyahu is in town,” John Kirby, White House communications director for national security, told reporters on Thursday.
Kirby said the president’s health and recovery after testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday will take priority and it is unclear “if and how that might affect the discussion.”
Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress next Wednesday, and Kirby said the Israeli prime minister is expected to meet with Biden the following day. Vice President Harris is also expected to see the Israeli leader.
“I can’t say at this point, Thursday, what exactly that will look like. But as we get closer, we will certainly be able to provide a little more,” Kirby said.
The meeting comes as critics in Israel and the US accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing the military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip over an internationally backed ceasefire agreement that Biden has taken the lead in promoting.
The Israeli Knesset, its parliament, passed a resolution on Thursday rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, a key pillar of Biden’s three-phase ceasefire agreement. The resolution was approved by an overwhelming majority in the politically rebellious government, 68-9.
“I think the best way to respond to this is to just reiterate our firm belief in the power and promise of a two-state solution,” Kirby said in response to a question about the resolution.
“This is not something that President Biden is going to give up on and we will continue to do everything we can to try to achieve this outcome. We know this won’t happen tomorrow. And we know that it will not be without difficulties and we also know that it requires leadership. Strong courage and leadership in the region to achieve this result.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
