Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the United States on Monday, but President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris did not greet him upon his arrival.
In a video released by the Israeli Embassy in the United States, PostsPrime Minister Netanyahu was seen descending the steps of the plane and shaking hands with several people waiting below.
Biden’s absence comes after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, said. release The letter said Biden had “completed his 10th dose of Paxlovid” and that his symptoms had “almost completely resolved.”
Ofir Akunis, the Israeli Consul General in New York, was reportedly among those who greeted Prime Minister Netanyahu after his plane landed. according to In The Times of Israel.
Welcome to Washington DC Israel Benjamin Netanyahu! 🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/aOU3E3obig
— Embassy of Israel in the United States (@IsraelinUSA) July 22, 2024
It is worth noting that Secretary of State Antony Blinken also did not show up to greet Prime Minister Netanyahu upon his arrival in the United States.
Netanyahu’s arrival came ahead of his address to Congress on Wednesday. In June, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) released a letter urging Netanyahu to address a joint session of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sen. Harris and Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray (D-Wash.) have reportedly refused to preside over Netanyahu’s floor speech, while Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has previously called Netanyahu a “war criminal” and said he would “not attend” the speech.
Some sources Said Axios reported in June that House Democrats were discussing hosting a counter-show to Netanyahu’s speech.
Netanyahu has faced criticism over Israel’s ongoing military offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a full-scale invasion of Gaza to destroy Hamas.
Israel Fights Terrorism: Is Israel’s Response to Hamas Legal and Justified?
Joel Pollack
