An upcoming meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden has been canceled as the president remains focused on recovering from COVID-19, according to multiple reports.
The Israeli leader had been scheduled to meet with the 81-year-old Biden on Tuesday to discuss the future of the Gaza war, but an official in Netanyahu’s office said the meeting had been called off. The Times of Israel and other media outlets have reported on this.
The decision comes after Biden failed to make any public appearances after testing positive for COVID-19 during a trip to Las Vegas last Wednesday.
In an update provided Monday, Biden’s doctor said the president had received his 10th dose of Paxlovidone and that his “symptoms have almost completely resolved.”
“His pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature remain completely normal,” White House physician Kevin Conner said in a statement.
“His oxygen saturation levels on room air remain good. His lungs are clear,” he added. “The president continues to carry out all of his presidential duties.”
It is unclear when Biden will be able to meet with Netanyahu, who is in Washington, D.C., to address Congress.
The White House said Biden remains in isolation in Delaware and plans to return to the Capitol once he receives a negative COVID-19 test.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a White House source told The Washington Post that the octogenarian president has also canceled nine trips scheduled for the next two weeks after abruptly withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race.
However, Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, who is seen as the Democratic front-runner in the fall’s elections.
It is unclear whether Netanyahu will be able to meet with Republican front-runner Donald Trump, with Israeli public broadcaster KAN reporting that his team has not yet set aside a time for the two to talk.
Netanyahu will be in the United States until Friday and is due to discuss the Gaza war with lawmakers on Wednesday.
Before leaving Israel on Monday, Netanyahu expressed his intention to personally thank Biden for his commitment to the Jewish state and his eagerness to work with the presidential successor.
“This will be an opportunity to thank him for his service to Israel during the war and throughout his long and distinguished career in public service as a senator, vice president and president,” Netanyahu said of Biden before boarding the plane.
“Regardless of who the American people choose as their next president, Israel will remain our most indispensable and strongest ally in the Middle East,” he added.
