Israeli leaders thanked President Joe Biden for his support over the years after Biden announced Sunday that he was quitting the 2024 presidential race — just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves for the U.S.
Netanyahu is set to address a special joint session of Congress on Wednesday, July 24. It was unclear whether he would meet Biden, as scheduled, on Monday after the latter was diagnosed with coronavirus late last week.
Breitbart News asked Israeli government spokesman David Mencer last week whether Netanyahu would meet former President Donald Trump, who now appears to be the favorite to win the election. The answer was noncommittal.
Other Israeli leaders issued statements of thanks to Biden for his support for Israel. Israeli President Isaac Herzog posted:
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to @POTUS Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades long career.
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) July 21, 2024
As the first US President to visit Israel in wartime, as a recipient of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, and as a true…
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said:
Thank you President @JoeBiden, for your unwavering support of Israel over the years. Your steadfast backing, especially during the war, has been invaluable. We are grateful for your leadership and friendship. 🇺🇸🇮🇱
— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) July 21, 2024
Gallant also wished Netanyahu well on his trip and commended him for resuming indirect talks with Hamas toward a hostage deal.
Netanyahu and Trump had a close relationship when both were in office, but Trump soured on Netanyahu after he congratulated Biden for winning the 2020 election. There have since been signs of a thaw in relations.
Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of “”The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days,” available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of “The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency,” now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.
