US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the White House about ending the war in the Gaza Strip, Vice President Kamala Harris is also expected to meet with the Israeli leader later today, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
It was the first face-to-face conversation between the two leaders since Biden traveled to Israel days after the attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement "Hamas" on October 7. Biden embraced Netanyahu and promised him US support.
The visit coincides with a shift in American politics. On Sunday, Biden withdrew from the US presidential race under pressure from his fellow Democrats and endorsed Harris for the party's 2024 presidential nomination.
"We have a lot to talk about,", Biden said when he welcomed Netanyahu to the Oval Office.
"I want to thank you for 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the State of Israel," Netanyahu said.
Harris will meet with the Israeli leader in his ceremonial office at the White House. The meeting will be closely watched for signs of how Harris, who was the first senior US politician to call for a ceasefire, might change US policy towards Israel if he becomes president.
Harris is expected to strictly toe the government line during the meeting, a US official said. She is likely to focus on the plight of the Palestinians while supporting Israel's right to self-defense, Reuters notes.
Netanyahu's visit, his first to the US since the start of his record sixth term as prime minister in late 2022, coincided with Biden's dramatic decision to drop out of the race. It remains to be seen whether Biden or Harris can exert any influence on Netanyahu to achieve a ceasefire.
According to Reuters, Harris is toeing Biden's line on Israel, but striking a tougher tone.