Biden Begins Middle East Trip in Israel
Summary from the AllSides News Team
President Joe Biden visited with Israeli leaders on Tuesday in his first stop on a four-day Middle East trip that aims to repair relations with allies and shore up support for the Iran nuclear deal.
Biden’s trip, his first to the region as U.S. president, will also include Saudi Arabia and the occupied West Bank. According to CNN (Left bias), Biden “embraced” former President Donald Trump’s Abraham Accords, which sought to improve relations between Israel and a handful of Middle Eastern nations, by committing to help strengthen those ties. In a Tuesday speech, Biden said progressive U.S. critics of Israel were “wrong,” adding, “Israel is a friend.” Some commentators raised concerns that Biden’s previous criticism of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — whom U.S. intelligence blamed for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — could disrupt talks in Saudi Arabia.
The White House said Biden would avoid handshaking during the trip to avoid the spread of COVID-19 as global case numbers rise. However, Biden shook hands with former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
Coverage was common throughout the spectrum on Tuesday, covering a wide range of angles like the Iran deal, Saudi relations, Palestinian interests and hand shaking. Some coverage from the right highlighted Biden shaking hands after the White House said he would avoid doing so.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Center
Biden dismisses Democrats critical of Israel, saying they’re ‘wrong’
President Biden on Wednesday dismissed members of his own party who have been critical of Israel, telling an Israeli news station that those progressive lawmakers are “wrong.”
Biden sat for an interview with N12 News in Israel and was asked about Democrats who have called Israel an “apartheid state” and called for an end to unconditional aid for Israel.
“There are few of them. I think they’re wrong. I think they’re making a mistake,” Biden said. “Israel is a democracy. Israel is our ally. Israel is a friend, and I think...
From the Left
Joe Biden arrives in Middle East on first trip as US president
US President Joe Biden has landed in Tel Aviv in Israel on his first visit to the Middle East in his current role.
Arriving on Air Force One at Ben Gurion airport on Wednesday, Biden was warmly greeted by Israeli officials and, in a speech, described the US’s connection with the country as “bone-deep”.
“You don’t need to be a Jew to be a Zionist,” said Biden in his opening remarks. “The connection between the Israeli and American people is bone deep … I am proud to say that US...
From the Right
Biden shakes hands with Netanyahu after WH vowed he'd avoid the action on Mideast trip
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced Wednesday that due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden would not be shaking hands with anyone during this week's Middle East trip.
Not long afterwards, though, Biden met former Israeli Prime Ministar Bibi Netanyahu, and shook hands with him.
Sullivan had discussed the policy while addressing reporters aboard Air Force One prior to the president's arrival in Israel, the first stop on the trip.
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