Biden Begins Middle East Trip in Israel

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.