Readout of President Joe Biden’s Meeting with President Isaac Herzog of Israel

Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. welcomed President Isaac Herzog of Israel to the White House.  The two discussed the special significance of Herzog’s July 19 address to a Joint Meeting of Congress to commemorate Israel’s 75th anniversary, 35 years after an address by his father President Chaim Herzog, reflective of the enduring nature of our partnership, one that has transcended numerous U.S. and Israeli Administrations. 
 
The two consulted on key issues of mutual concern, including enhanced coordination to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and Iran’s growing defense partnership with Russia.  They noted the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship, based on the bedrock of shared democratic values, and discussed the need for a consensus-based approach to the judicial reform package.  They discussed ongoing cooperation to develop technology-based solutions to shared global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and food insecurity.  
 
President Biden reiterated his commitment to maintaining a path for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the best avenue to a lasting and just peace, and to providing Israelis and Palestinians equal measures of freedom, prosperity and security.  The President stressed the need to take additional measures to improve the security and economic situation in the West Bank and prevent acts of terrorism.  The two also reviewed opportunities to advance Israel’s regional integration to create a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East.  Finally, building on the recently launched U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, they agreed on the need to continue to work together to address the persistent scourge of antisemitism.   

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