Biden is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, but Israeli officials have questioned whether the two leaders will actually meet.
Axios reporter Barak Ravid initially reported on X that Netanyahu’s team was unsure whether a planned meeting with Biden on Tuesday would happen. An Israeli official told Ravid that Netanyahu, who is visiting Washington, D.C. this week, was still “waiting for a response” from the White House.
A U.S. official told Fox News on Monday night that the meeting was scheduled for Thursday. Netanyahu’s arrival in the U.S. comes just 24 hours after Biden announced he was withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, signaling a time of turmoil for the Democrats.
Netanyahu’s arrival also came days after President Biden announced he had been diagnosed with COVID-19. As of Monday afternoon, the president was said to be recovering but was still in isolation in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
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Then-Vice President Biden shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting in Jerusalem on March 9, 2016. (Reuters/Debbie Hill)
Biden’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, wrote in a letter released Monday that the president “completed his 10th dose of Paxlovid this morning.”
“His symptoms have resolved almost completely,” the doctor wrote. “Pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature are completely normal. Oxygen saturation is good on room air.” [sic]His lungs remain clear.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant attend a press conference in Tel Aviv on October 28, 2023. (Abil Sultan/AFP/Getty Images)
“The president continues to carry out all of the duties of the presidency,” O’Connor added.
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Shelley Greenspan, the White House liaison to the American Jewish community, wrote to X that Vice President Kamala Harris also plans to meet with Netanyahu later this week. Biden endorsed Harris shortly after dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey on June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Netanyahu is scheduled to speak to parliament on Wednesday, but Harris declined, according to The Washington Post. Before leaving Israel for Washington, Netanyahu told reporters that Israel would stand by the United States “no matter what.” [of] This is the person the American people will choose as their next president.”
“In times of war and uncertainty, it is important that Israel’s enemies know that America and Israel stand together,” the leader said.
According to Politico, Netanyahu also requested a meeting with former President Trump this week, though it is unclear whether Trump has agreed to the meeting.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office and the White House for additional information.
Daniel Wallace and Paul Steinhauser of The Associated Press and Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
