Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday, 27 days after the Democrat entered the White House.
“The conversation was very friendly and warm and lasted about an hour. The two leaders noted the long-standing personal connection and said they would work together to strengthen the strong alliance between Israel and strengthen the United States, “the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
“President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke further on the advancement of peace agreements, Iran’s threat and the region’s challenges and agreed to continue talks between them. The president also congratulated the prime minister. for his leadership in the fight against coronavirus and the two exchange views on how to deal with the pandemic. “
Biden, who was sworn in 27 days before January 20 has already spoken to several world leaders and has so far neglected Netanyahu. Unlike his predecessors – Donald Trump and Barack Obama, who spoke to the prime minister a few days after he took office – Biden held his first contact with Netanyahu who raised profits about a fall between the two directors.
However, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that Biden will have his first call with Middle East leader Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is the 12th head of state and the first in the Middle East to whom the U.S. president has spoken since its inception.
Prior to Netanyahu’s call, Biden called on the leaders of neighboring countries Canada and Mexico; NATO allies Britain, France and Germany; key friends of East Asia Japan, South Korea and India; Australia as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Some speculated as to whether Biden was dismissing Netanyahu or whether the Democrat had more urgent issues to attend to the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial crisis that followed.