US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in New York, signaling a thaw in their previously strained relationship. This was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Netanyahu returned to power nine months ago. The discussions marked a significant step towards easing tensions, which had been exacerbated by Netanyahu's attempts to undermine the country's judiciary.
Netanyahu had been seeking an invitation to the Oval Office since he resumed his role as prime minister, but Biden had been reluctant to extend the invitation. The President and his advisors had expressed concerns about Netanyahu's inclusion of far-right political parties in his coalition government, as well as his stance on the judiciary and the treatment of Palestinians.
However, this meeting highlighted Biden's need for Netanyahu's support in advancing his goals in the Middle East, particularly with regard to the landmark normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The White House announced that Biden had extended an invitation to Netanyahu to visit Washington, D.C., in the near future.
During their private discussions, Biden assured Netanyahu that they would address the "hard issues," including the importance of democratic values and the need for checks and balances within their respective political systems. They also discussed Iran's nuclear program and the US push for Saudi Arabia and Israel to establish formal ties.
The US and Israel are aligned in their stance on providing Saudi Arabia with a civilian nuclear program, which is a crucial aspect of their ongoing negotiations. A potential agreement would involve security guarantees from the US to Saudi Arabia and preserve the possibility of a future Palestinian state for Israel.
Though Biden had initially been guarded in his approach towards Netanyahu, this meeting indicated a shift in their dynamics. The Israeli prime minister had enjoyed a close relationship with former President Donald Trump, which he openly praised. However, during this meeting, he expressed confidence in Biden's leadership and acknowledged the potential for historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu's controversial judicial reforms have sparked widespread protests in Israel over the past nine months. Demonstrators view the proposed changes as a threat to the nation's democratic character. Even during Netanyahu's visit to New York, protesters continued to voice their opposition, congregating outside the hotel where the meeting with Biden was taking place.
In his address to Biden, Netanyahu reassured the US President of Israel's unwavering commitment to democratic principles. He emphasized the importance of upholding the values shared by both countries and expressed hope for advancement in the Arab-Israeli conflict, reconciliation within the Islamic world, and genuine peace with the Palestinians.
The meeting also involved the participation of the director of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, who presented his perspectives on Iran's nuclear program, the Saudi talks, and Iran-led efforts to target Israelis worldwide, according to Netanyahu's office.