US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yale Rapid will sign a new joint declaration on Thursday to expand security relations between the United States and Israel.
White House officials told reporters in a conference call that they would include pledged to reaffirm their pledge to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“This declaration is very important and includes never allowing Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and promising to deal with Iran’s volatile activities, especially the threat to Israel,” the White House said. Said a senior official.
The Joint Pledge also notes the continued support of the United States and Israel for the Memorandum of Understanding finaled when Biden served as Vice President under former President Barack Obama.
“The Declaration will also emphasize support for the Abraham Agreement and the expansion of Israel’s integration into the region, which is, of course, the subject of this trip,” said a senior White House official.
“And it will reiterate our common concerns about many global challenges, from food security to the situation in Ukraine and, of course, support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” officials said. Added.
Iran nuclear deal
In an interview with Israeli media recorded before leaving Washington on Tuesday but aired on Wednesday, Biden called the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran a foreign terrorist attack in the United States, even if it was killed. Iran’s nuclear deal in 2015 when he began his trip to the Middle East, saying he would leave it on the Organization (FTO) list.
Asked if his past statement to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons meant he would use force against Iran, Biden replied: “It’s a last resort. If so, yes. “
“Only Iran with nuclear weapons is worse than Iran that currently exists,” the president said.
Biden visits the Middle East for the first time as president
Biden arrived in Israel on Wednesday on his first trip to the Middle East as President, but his tenth overall.
At the airport, Biden was briefed by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz about the Israeli Iron Dome defense system and a new technology called Iron Beam that is being developed in collaboration with the US Missile Defense Agency using lasers. ..
The United States has provided Israel with $ 4.8 billion for its security. This includes $ 1 billion to replenish the Iron Dome after the conflict with Hamas in Gaza in May 2021.
The president later dedicated a wreath to the Yadvashem Holocaust Memorial and met with Holocaust survivors.
On Thursday, Biden will meet Rapid for a bilateral meeting prior to the announcement of the Joint Declaration. He will then meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at his residence to discuss Herzog’s recent visits to Jordan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The two countries will also initiate a new high-level strategic dialogue on technology to facilitate cooperation in four key areas. The four areas are technologies that support future pandemic countermeasures using climate-affecting technologies, “artificial technologies”, and “other credible technology ecosystems”.
“We want their engineering department to connect with us and look west, aiming to build technical equipment for the future,” said a White House executive.
Biden will also attend the first I2U2 virtual summit with leaders from Israel, India and the United Arab Emirates, focusing on promoting food security and clean energy and visiting athletes participating in the Macavia competition. ..
East Jerusalem controversy
On Friday, the President will visit the West Bank and East Jerusalem to announce Palestinian economic opportunities, including the development of 4G capabilities in both Gaza and the West Bank.
This is the first visit to East Jerusalem by the sitting US President, 6 Republicans Danny Danon, a former UN ambassador to Israel, urged him not to go to Biden.
“Affirmation only helps to encourage Israel’s unwavering rejection by the PA, which continues to refuse to accept the existence of the Jewish state of Israel,” Danone said. I have written In Israel today. “Given the fragile situation in Israel and the Middle East and the recent heightened tensions, a visit to eastern Jerusalem will undoubtedly undermine, rather than encourage, the outlook for peace. Therefore, to President Biden, this precedent Please refrain from visiting the eastern part of Jerusalem. “
White House spokesperson John Kirby said Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Adviser, airforce one after the Biden administration wanted Palestinians to have a consulate in East Jerusalem. I had to go back to what I said to the reporter.
After Israel, Biden Saudi Arabia We talked about the energy crisis on Saturday and met with other Gulf countries in Jeddah.
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Caden Pearson is an Australian-based reporter. He has a background in screenwriting and documentary. Contact him at [email protected]