White House expects Biden to meet Netanyahu next week despite his positive COVID-19 test

Follow the latest news on the war in Gaza live

Jul 19. (EUROPA PRESS) –

White House Homeland Security spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that he expects US President Joe Biden to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week as part of his visit to Washington to address Congress, despite the US president testing positive for COVID-19 the previous day.

“We very much expect the two leaders to have an opportunity to meet when the prime minister is in town,” Kirby told reporters, according to CBS 42.

However, he has detailed that Biden’s health will be a priority for the White House and that, if he does not recover by then, they will give more details on how this will affect this meeting. “I can’t tell you right now exactly how it will be. But as we get closer, I will certainly be able to offer you more information,” Kirby added.

Netanyahu will address the US Congress on Wednesday, July 24, at the request of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson, the Republican Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, the Democratic Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, and the Democratic House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries.