US President Biden lands in Israel – the first time as US President. Even under him, the Americans remain pacesetters when it comes to developments in the Middle East. Biden directly emphasizes the solution he favors to the Middle East conflict – even if, according to him, it is not currently in sight. It also explained why Biden doesn’t want to shake hands.
During his first visit to the Middle East as US President, Joe Biden once again advocated a two-state solution in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. He knows that there is currently no sign of this solution, said Biden shortly after landing at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. In his opinion, however, it remains the best way to bring prosperity and democracy to Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Biden was welcomed at the airport with a ceremony by Israeli President Izchak Herzog, the new Prime Minister Jair Lapid and his predecessor Naftali Bennett. The last time a US President was in Israel was Donald Trump in 2017. It is Biden’s first trip to the Middle East since taking office a year and a half ago. Herzog spoke of a “peace trip”. “Today the wind of peace is blowing from North Africa across the Mediterranean to the Gulf,” he said shortly after Biden’s landing at Tel Aviv airport. During the visit, the threat posed by Iran and its allies to Israel and its neighbors will also be discussed.
While still at the airport, Biden visited the “Iron Dome” mobile missile defense system, which the United States helped develop, and other air defense systems. Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz also showed him the new “Iron Beam” laser missile defense system, the successful test of which Israel announced only recently in April. According to media reports, Israel hopes that the presentation will result in US funding for the “Iron Beam”, which is scheduled to go into operation in 2023. There is also speculation that Israel wants to ask Biden to authorize the delivery of the high-power laser system to Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia. Defense against the common archenemy Iran should be expanded in the region
Biden’s itinerary also includes a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. After Biden’s arrival, Israeli Prime Minister Jair Lapid emphasized the “unbreakable bond” between the two countries. Biden’s visit to Israel is not only historic, but also personal. Biden is one of the best friends Israel has ever known, Lapid said.
Biden wants to hold talks with Lapid, Herzog and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem this Thursday. His visit to the Middle East then has other stations. On Friday, Biden wants to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank and then travel to Saudi Arabia.
Biden wants to avoid physical contact as much as possible during his trip to the Middle East – according to the White House because of Corona. “We’re trying to minimize contact as much as possible,” his spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said at a briefing for journalists aboard government airliner Air Force One en route to Israel.
Reporters speculated that Biden may want to avoid shaking hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman during his visit to Jeddah on Friday. They pointed out that Biden recently shook numerous hands in the White House. Jean-Pierre stressed that it was a health measure.
