Israeli leaders thanked President Joe Biden for his support over the years after Biden announced Sunday that he was quitting the 2024 presidential race — just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves for the U.S.
Netanyahu is set to address a special joint session of Congress on Wednesday, July 24. It was unclear whether he would meet Biden, as scheduled, on Monday after the latter was diagnosed with coronavirus late last week.
Breitbart News asked Israeli government spokesman David Mencer last week whether Netanyahu would meet former President Donald Trump, who now appears to be the favorite to win the election. The answer was noncommittal.
Many Israeli leaders have been frustrated with Biden for denying critical support to Israel during the war against Hamas — including withholding weapons. However, upon news of Biden’s impending retirement, Israeli leaders issued statements of thanks to Biden for his support for Israel over the years. Israeli President Isaac Herzog posted:
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennet also thanked Biden for his help during Bennet’s brief tenure:
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said:
Gallant also wished Netanyahu well on his trip and commended him for resuming indirect talks with Hamas toward a hostage deal.
Netanyahu and Trump had a close relationship when both were in office, but Trump soured on Netanyahu after he congratulated Biden for winning the 2020 election. There have since been signs of a thaw in relations.
Update: The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Sunday that Netanyahu would still meet Biden, the Times of Israel reported.
Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of “”The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days,” available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of “The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency,” now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.