President Joe Biden is set to strongly press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire agreement during their private meeting at the White House
on Thursday, sources told CNN. US officials believe a deal is close to being reached.
“We’re closer than we’ve ever been,” a senior administration official said. “It’s up to the Israelis to accept it.”
This meeting follows Netanyahu's speech to Congress on Wednesday, which triggered antisemitic and pro-Hamas protests in Washington, DC, condemned by the White House.
In brief remarks before the meeting, Netanyahu noted the long-standing relationship between the two leaders. “From a proud Jewish Zionist to a proud Irish-American Zionist, I want to thank you for 50 years of public service and support for Israel,” he said. Biden responded by reminiscing about his meetings with previous Israeli leaders and joking about his age: “That’s how far back it goes. I was only 12 then.” Neither leader responded to questions from reporters.
This is Biden’s first meeting with a world leader since he announced he would not run in the 2024 race. The potential resolution of the Israel-Hamas war, which began in October, is critical to Biden’s legacy as a one-term president. The negotiations for a ceasefire have seen ups and downs in recent months, with Biden and his senior national security officials heavily involved in the efforts.
Biden will have another opportunity to apply pressure on Netanyahu in a joint meeting with the prime minister and the families of American hostages in Gaza on Thursday afternoon.
While no major announcement about an agreement is expected on Thursday, US and Israeli officials have voiced increased optimism about the prospects of a deal.
Despite Biden’s firm support for Israel, tensions have arisen between the two leaders over the conduct and future of the war. Biden has criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza as “over the top,” threatened to withhold new arms transfers, and pressured Netanyahu to be more precise in military operations. This criticism peaked when an Israeli strike killed seven World Central Kitchen workers in early April. Netanyahu has maintained that the war will not end until Hamas is eliminated and has accused the US of withholding weapons, a claim US officials have denied.
Netanyahu did not address ceasefire negotiations substantially in his speech to Congress this week. Instead, he praised Biden for his support following the October 7 Hamas attack and urged the US to expedite military aid to help end the war.
US officials are sensitive to Israeli political dynamics that may influence Netanyahu’s decisions, including the timing of Israel’s parliament recess, which could impact right-wing opposition to the deal.
The US does not believe Netanyahu is currently obstructing a ceasefire and hostage deal and sees progress in ongoing negotiations. Both Israelis and Hamas have elements to agree on before a deal is finalized, and neither side is currently holding up negotiations, according to a senior administration official.
This meeting at the White House is the first in-person encounter between Biden and Netanyahu since Biden’s visit to Israel following the October 7 attack. They have, however, frequently spoken on the phone. The meeting will be followed by a session with American hostage families, and then Netanyahu will meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden has endorsed as his successor on the Democratic ticket.
In his remarks to Congress, Netanyahu criticized anti-Israel protesters as “Iran’s useful idiots” and downplayed Israel's role in the suffering of Gaza civilians.
Biden’s support for Israel’s war has been politically contentious within his party, with many campaign appearances interrupted by protesters demanding a Gaza ceasefire. Biden has responded by acknowledging the protesters’ points and emphasizing the need to protect innocent lives in Gaza.
However, recent concerns about Biden’s ability to beat former President Donald Trump have overshadowed the national conversation about his handling of Israel’s war. Trump and Netanyahu are scheduled to meet on Friday at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
In an interview with Complex Networks last week, Biden reiterated his Zionist stance while highlighting his support for the Palestinian community and efforts to ensure aid reaches Gaza.
“I’m the guy that opened up all the assets. I got the Egyptians to open the border to let goods through, medicine, and food,” Biden said. “I have been very supportive of the Palestinians, but Hamas, they’re a bunch of thugs.”
Biden and Netanyahu last spoke during a 30-minute call on July 4, focusing on the details of a possible hostage exchange and ceasefire deal. However, no deal was finalized during that call. Photo by U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv, Wikimedia commons.