Arriving in Israel on Wednesday for his first visit as US president, Joe Biden was quick to reiterate his support for a two-state solution despite the ongoing diplomatic deadlock between Israel and the Palestinians.
“We will create more stability, a better connection, this is critical for all the peoples of the region and that is why we must discuss my deep and ongoing commitment, even though I know it’s not a near term, for a two-state solution,” he said.
“This is the best way to ensure equality, freedom, prosperity and democracy for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
He also mentioned his lifelong support for Israel, noting that this was his 10th trip to the country, describing the connection between the American and Israeli people as “bone deep”.
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“You don’t need to be a Jew to be a Zionist,” he said.
Welcoming Mr Biden to Israel, both president Yitzhak Herzog and caretaker prime minister Yair Lapid highlighted Israel’s top priority: the Iranian threat.
“We will discuss building a new security and economy architecture with the nations of the Middle East, following the Abraham Accords,” said Mr Lapid.
“We will also discuss the need to renew a strong global coalition that will stop the Iranian nuclear programme.”
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Before leaving Ben-Gurion Airport, Mr Biden inspected a display of Israel’s air defence capabilities escorted by defence minister Benny Gantz, in particular the Iron Dome missile defence system which targets incoming rockets and is partially funded by Washington.
After arriving in Jerusalem, Mr Biden visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum.
Thursday will see a series of bilateral talks with Israeli officials, including 15 minutes allocated for a meeting with opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu.
Mr Biden and Mr Lapid are expected to sign a document on Thursday titled the Jerusalem Declaration on the US-Israel Strategic Partnership, which an Israeli official described as the pinnacle of Biden’s trip to Israel.
The declaration includes a commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and to allow Israel to defend itself. It also addresses the Israel-Palestinian issue as well as efforts for normalisation with the Arab world.
On Friday, Mr Biden will spend a few hours in the Palestinian territories, visiting a hospital in east Jerusalem and meeting Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem, before flying to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where he will join a summit of leaders of Gulf states, together with those of Jordan, Egypt and Iraq.
Mr Biden, who previously described Saudi Arabia as a pariah state, wants Riyadh to step up oil production in an effort to lower global fuel prices. While in Saudi Arabia he is also expected to announce steps towards normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia, such as allowing Israeli planes to use Saudi air space.
Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said in a statement that Mr Biden’s trip will not bring about security for Israel.
Hamas was also critical.
“The visit to the Zionist entity represents a bias and support for the occupation,” the group said in a statement.