During his one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday, Joe Biden promised a “long” partnership with Israel

During his one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday, Joe Biden promised a “long” partnership with Israel.

The president had urged for deeper regional connections in light of the mounting threat posed by Iran.

The integration of Israel into the area, according to Biden, is crucial, and he stressed how ‘the vast majority’ of Americans support Israel.

We had a successful start to a lengthy relationship, God willing, Biden added.

I stressed how crucial it was in my opinion for Israel to be fully assimilated into the area, he said.

Not just my administration, but the vast majority of Americans, in my opinion, are wholly committed to ensuring Israel’s security.

The Biden administration views closer connections between Israel and its Muslim neighbours as essential to fending off Iran’s growing regional influence.

As part of his efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, Lapid stated that he was “working to form even more moderate coalitions in the Middle East.”

He stated, “We talked about the Iranian threat.” Iran won’t develop nuclear weapons.

We talked about certain other concerns we are going to keep to ourselves, and this is not just a threat to Israel but to the entire globe.

The two leaders had a lighthearted chat the day before Biden departs for Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the close ties between the two nations.

Even in their jokes, they admitted to talking baseball.

Biden told reporters, “We chatted about American baseball.”

The two men will later sign a joint statement that emphasizes their commitment to preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon as well as their military cooperation.

A senior administration official stated, “You’ll notice in the joint declaration is a pledge and a commitment never to permit Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon and that we’re prepared to deploy all aspects of our national might to secure that outcome.”

The purpose of Biden’s meeting is to deepen the existing close connections between the United States and its longtime friend, Israel.

On Thursday, the president and the former prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, will have a private press conference.

When he attends the Maccabiah Games’ opening ceremonies, which feature thousands of Jewish and Israeli athletes from all around the world, he will be presented with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor by President Isaac Herzog and meet American athletes.

However, strengthening Israeli connections to its neighbours is one of Biden’s top priorities in order to allay growing fears over Iran’s nuclear program.

Even though the Israeli public is generally opposed to the Iran nuclear deal, Biden is adamant about rejoining it.

Because an Iran with nuclear weapons would be even worse than the one that now exists, he explained.

“I think it was a big mistake for a U.S. president to break out of the accord,” Biden concluded.

He continued, “They’re closer to a nuclear weapon now than they were before.”

In order to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, Biden also stated that he was willing to use force.

He said, “If that was the last resort, yes.”

Following a contentious meeting with Saudi leaders, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, often known as “MBS,” who was charged with killing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Biden will leave Israel on Friday. He will then travel to Saudi Arabia.

According to Biden, “the trip is about stability in the Middle East.” “More stability in the Middle East is, by far, in the interests of the United States of America, No. 1.

It is overwhelmingly in Israel’s best interests and, in my opinion, the interests of the United States in the area for Israel to become more integrated and treated equally.

According to Biden, some people thought that when Trump was president, the United States “kind of walked away” from the Middle East.

We can’t allow that to happen, warned Biden, adding that we were going to leave a void that China or Russia would fill.

The president went on to explain that in his opinion, “the more Israel is incorporated into the area as an equal and acknowledged, the more likely there is going to be a way by which they can come to an arrangement with the Palestinians down the future.”

The mending of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia “is going to take a long time,” Biden conceded.

The president continued, “But strengthening the relationship in terms of accepting each other’s presence, working together on certain subjects, it all makes sense to me.”

As the first American president to do so, Biden will create history when he flies directly between Israel and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Biden scolded progressives in his party who attempted to remove financing for the Iron Dome from Congressional spending legislation during the 13-minute meeting.

There aren’t many of them, Biden said. I believe they are mistaken.

They’re erring, in my opinion. Democracy exists in Israel. Our ally is Israel. A friend is Israel.

According to Biden, the Israelis have received $4 billion in funding for their Iron Dome missile defence system during his administration, and the two nations are currently developing a laser system to take the place of Iron Dome.

During his first trip in Israel on Wednesday, Biden received a briefing on Iron Dome and its replacement, known as Iron Spear.

There’s no chance, in my opinion, of the Democratic Party or even a sizable chunk of the Republican Party abandoning Israel, Biden continued.

The former Israeli prime minister and current head of the opposition party, Benjamin Netanyahu, is one of the people Biden is meeting with in Israel.

After Israel’s elections in November, Netanyahu might take over again.

He has sided with American Republicans more often than Democrats.

However, Biden assured Yonit Levi of Keshet 12 that they could collaborate.

Bibi and I have been friends for almost 40 years. We are frank about where we agree and disagree and where we do so,” Biden remarked.

I’m dealing with a democratic state that is debating who to elect as its leader, he continued, adding that he would cooperate with the chosen candidate.

Additionally, Biden stressed the significance of the west resisting Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

“It was just not in the cards” to have NATO in the West support the largest invasion of physical force into another nation since World War Two.

According to Biden, the United States will back Ukraine for “whatever long it takes.”

He declared, “We’re not going to let him win.”

In response to Levi’s suggestion, Biden confirmed that it might take months or years.

The president retaliated, saying “No, you said that,” when she questioned whether he genuinely thought it may take years.

They’re trying to destroy Ukraine, and we simply cannot allow that to happen, added Biden.