Netanyahu applauds Biden for his “support” for Israel in the offensive against Gaza and praises the alliance with the US

He stressed that Israel would remain the “strongest ally” of the United States regardless of who wins the presidential election.

Jul 22. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday applauded US President Joe Biden for Washington’s “support” for the country during the offensive unleashed against the Gaza Strip following the attacks carried out on October 7 by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and other Palestinian factions, which left nearly 1,200 dead and some 240 kidnapped, according to Israeli authorities.

Netanyahu, who will travel to the United States on Monday to address Congress, said from the airport before boarding his plane that he would meet with Biden, whom he has “known for more than 40 years.” “It will be an opportunity to thank him for the things he did for Israel during the war and during his long and distinguished career in public service as a senator, vice president and president,” he said.

He added that “it will also be an opportunity to discuss with him how to move forward in these critical months on important objectives for both countries,” including “freeing all hostages, defeating Hamas, confronting Iran’s axis of terror and ensuring that all Israeli citizens can safely return to their homes in the north and south.”

“In these times of war and uncertainty, it is important for Israel’s enemies to know that the United States and Israel stand together. Today, tomorrow and always,” he said, before stressing that the country “will continue to be the United States’ strongest ally” regardless of who wins the presidential elections to be held in November in the United States, hours after Biden announced that he was renouncing his candidacy for the White House.

Netanyahu said the official visit would aim to “anchor the bipartisan support that is so important to Israel,” amid the escalation of conflict in the Middle East and following last week’s drone attack by the Houthis from Yemen against the city of Tel Aviv, which left one dead, according to a series of messages posted by the prime minister’s office through his account on the social network X.

“I will tell my friends on both sides of the spectrum that regardless of who the American people elect as their next president, Israel remains their most indispensable and steadfast ally in the Middle East,” he said, stressing that the trip “is very important” given that it takes place “at a time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts” and when there is “great political uncertainty” in the United States.

Biden said Sunday that he was renouncing his bid for re-election to the White House, in a decision he defended as “in the interest” of the Democratic Party, the country and his own. “I believe that the best thing for my party, for the country and for me is to resign and concentrate solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term,” he said.

The decision came after weeks of pressure and doubts surrounding his ability to defeat his rival, former President Donald Trump, following his erratic performance in the televised debate on June 27, which raised doubts within his party about the possibility of him achieving victory at the polls and, in this way, renewing his mandate in the White House.