The United States' commitment to Israel's security is unwavering, President Joe Biden pledged Thursday, during his meeting in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Biden arrived in Israel on Wednesday afternoon for a two-day visit, as part of his first presidential tour of the Middle East. He met with Lapid at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Jerusalem shortly before noon.
In brief remarks to the press following the meeting, Lapid said, "We're trying to build a coalition that we all need in the Middle East, and we talked about the Iranian threat in order to ensure that Iran won't have a nuclear weapon. It's important to the whole world – not just Israel," he added.
"We had a good beginning of what's going to be a long, God willing, relationship, and a conversation about both the problems and opportunities both our countries face," Biden said next.
"We talked about how important it was for Israel to be totally integrated into the region, and complete its integration. We are guaranteed – our administration, and I think the vast majority of the American public, not just my administration, is completely devoted to your security, without any if, ands or buts – without any doubts about it."
Video: GPO/Omer Meron
The Lapid-Biden meeting will be followed by a video conference the two will hold with Indian PM Narendra Modi, and UAE leader Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
The digital call will be part of the newly formed I2U2 Summit, seeking to broaden economic cooperation between its members. "I2U2" stands for India, Israel, the UAE, and the US, whose leaders seek to deepen economic cooperation between the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, especially in the area of joint investments in water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security.
Biden and Lapid are also expected to formally ink The Jerusalem Declaration on the US-Israel Strategic Partnership, which diplomatic officials have called "historic."
According to the Jerusalem officials privy to the move, the declaration will underscore the US commitment to Israel's security, and a pledge to prevent Iran from ever developing nuclear weapons, including intimations that the US will consider the use of military force against the Islamic republic to prevent the regime in Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The declaration will also reportedly reconfirm a Memorandum of Understanding signed with former President Barack Obama that promised American military aid to Israel for 10 years.
However, the declaration is not expected to include any discussion of steps toward normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Various diplomatic officials characterized the declaration as "living proof of the depth and intimacy of the relations between the two countries" and "a draft of Israeli-US relations for the next two years."
Later on Thursday afternoon, Biden is scheduled to meet with President Isaac Herzog, who will present him with Israel's President's Medal – the highest civil honor the state can award.
The American president will then hold a brief meeting with Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
Thursday evening could see Biden meet with US athletes already in Israel for the Maccabiah Games – set to take place from July 14-26. His office said that the decision on that will be made in real-time.
On Friday, Biden is set to travel to Bethlehem to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and potentially visit the Augusta Victoria Hospital in east Jerusalem – a decision that will also be taken in real-time.
From Bethlehem, Biden will fly to Ben Gurion airport, for the state ceremony concluding the visit. Air Force One will them take of to Saudi Arabia – the first such direct flight from the Jewish state to the Gulf power.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
