Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 18, 2023. (Reuters)

Biden, Israel’s Herzog discuss Iran-Russia defense ties, Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 18, 2023. (Reuters)

President Joe Biden and Israeli President Isaac Herzog stressed their countries’ close ties on Tuesday at a White House meeting despite US tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over Jewish settlements and civil rights.

Citing issues including Netanyahu’s human rights record, a handful of Democratic lawmakers said they would stay away when Herzog addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday, the last day of a two-day visit.

At an Oval Office meeting, Biden told Herzog that America’s commitment to Israel was firm and ironclad. Biden said the two countries had been working together to bring more stability and integration to the Middle East. “A lot of hard work. We’ve got a lot more to do, but there’s progress,” he said.

As head of state, Herzog plays a largely ceremonial role in his country’s politics. He praised Biden as “a huge friend” of Israel.

“There are some enemies of ours that sometimes mistake the fact that we may have some differences as impacting our unbreakable bond,” Herzog said.

Ties have been strained over Israeli settlement expansion on the occupied West Bank as well as a judicial overhaul pursued by Netanyahu’s right-wing government and assailed by anti-government protesters in Israel.

The White House said Biden and Herzog had consulted on issues including “enhanced coordination” to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and Iran’s defense partnership with Russia.

It said Biden reiterated his commitment to maintaining a path toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stressing the need for additional measures to improve the security and economic situation in the West Bank.

Herzog also met Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Biden and Herzog last met at the White House in October.

Netanyahu returned to power in December.

On Monday, Biden invited Netanyahu to the United States for an official visit later this year.

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