Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu met to work on a Gaza ceasefire deal, trying to resolve remaining issues, the White House said. This meeting happened after Netanyahu’s strong speech to Congress, which saw many pro-Palestinian protesters outside.
Vice-President Kamala Harris also met Netanyahu, expressing serious concerns about casualties in Gaza. Netanyahu is under pressure to end the nine-month Israel-Gaza war. He highlighted his long friendship with Biden, who has known every Israeli prime minister for 50 years.
Biden joked about his first meetings with Israeli leaders, showing their long-standing relationship. Despite tensions over the Gaza war, Biden previously threatened to withhold weapons if Israel escalated the conflict, angering Netanyahu.
They discussed hostage releases, regional threats, and peace talks, with the White House calling the US-Israel relationship “healthy” despite disagreements.
Harris, likely the next Democratic presidential nominee, emphasized support for Israel but also serious concerns about Gaza. She called for an end to the war and relief for Palestinians. Harris met families of US hostages held by Hamas, who felt optimistic after the meeting.
Netanyahu defended the war in his speech, trying to gain support from US politicians, while protesters outside called him a “war criminal.”
The White House disagreed with Netanyahu’s harsh words for the protesters, calling them “mostly peaceful.” The Gaza war has caused political divides, especially among Democrats critical of US support for Israel.
Vice-President Harris didn’t attend Netanyahu’s speech due to other commitments but continued to support Israel.
The stance has been politically challenging for Democrats, with many voters unhappy with military aid to Israel. Netanyahu is also set to meet Republican nominee Donald Trump.
This summary is based on information from BBC News .
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg3eppp0n57o