On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United States for an official visit later this year, following a lengthy delay.
The invitation was extended during a phone call between the two leaders, a day before Israeli President Isaac Herzog was set to visit Washington.
Biden had previously held off extending the invitation due to concerns about a judicial overhaul undertaken by Netanyahu and his right-wing government, as well as Israel's expansion of settlements on the occupied West Bank.
However, during their call, Biden and Netanyahu agreed to meet "later this year in the United States." The invitation comes amid rising tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, with violence escalating on the West Bank.
The Israeli government's actions, including authorizing settler outposts and inflammatory comments from a member of Netanyahu's cabinet, have drawn criticism from U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Despite this, the White House national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said Biden remains concerned about the judicial overhaul and some of the "extremist activities and behavior by some members of the Netanyahu cabinet." However, he stressed the need for Israel to be a "vibrant and viable democracy," and for any changes to be based on compromise and a broad consensus.
During their conversation, Biden and Netanyahu also discussed efforts to counter Iran's nuclear program and the need to pursue a two-state solution to the conflict with Palestinians, as well as boosting security on the West Bank.
The Israeli statement described the conversation as "long and warm," and focused on curbing threats from Iran and its proxies, and strengthening the alliance between the two countries.
However, some members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus have signaled that they might not attend a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Washington, due to concerns about Israel's policies towards the Palestinians.
The invitation marks a significant shift in U.S.-Israeli relations, which have been strained under the Biden administration due to differences over settlement expansion and the judicial overhaul.
It remains to be seen how the visit will play out, but it is
Biden had previously held off extending the invitation due to concerns about a judicial overhaul undertaken by Netanyahu and his right-wing government, as well as Israel's expansion of settlements on the occupied West Bank.
However, during their call, Biden and Netanyahu agreed to meet "later this year in the United States." The invitation comes amid rising tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, with violence escalating on the West Bank.
The Israeli government's actions, including authorizing settler outposts and inflammatory comments from a member of Netanyahu's cabinet, have drawn criticism from U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Despite this, the White House national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said Biden remains concerned about the judicial overhaul and some of the "extremist activities and behavior by some members of the Netanyahu cabinet." However, he stressed the need for Israel to be a "vibrant and viable democracy," and for any changes to be based on compromise and a broad consensus.
During their conversation, Biden and Netanyahu also discussed efforts to counter Iran's nuclear program and the need to pursue a two-state solution to the conflict with Palestinians, as well as boosting security on the West Bank.
The Israeli statement described the conversation as "long and warm," and focused on curbing threats from Iran and its proxies, and strengthening the alliance between the two countries.
However, some members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus have signaled that they might not attend a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to Washington, due to concerns about Israel's policies towards the Palestinians.
The invitation marks a significant shift in U.S.-Israeli relations, which have been strained under the Biden administration due to differences over settlement expansion and the judicial overhaul.
It remains to be seen how the visit will play out, but it is