Netanyahu hopes to meet Trump on US visit, but Biden meeting remains in doubt

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to visit the United States on Sunday evening ahead of his address to a joint session of Parliament on Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden has contracted the coronavirus, meaning a planned meeting between Biden and Netanyahu may not take place. The prime minister is due to meet with Biden’s vice-president, Kamala Harris.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said “we hope there will be an opportunity for the two leaders to meet during Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit,” but did not give a specific date.

“Obviously the president’s health and his recovery from COVID-19 needs to be the top priority, and I’m not in a position at this time to assist with whether and, if so, how that might affect discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu,” he told reporters.

Biden declined to invite Netanyahu to Washington after taking office in December 2022, in what was seen as a public snub for the prime minister’s decision to form a coalition government with far-right partners. Biden also criticized Netanyahu’s legislative push to weaken the independence of Israel’s judiciary, an effort that was met with mass protests and seen as an attack on Israeli democracy.

The Prime Minister’s Office has not announced anything about a possible meeting with Donald Trump. The former president has been candid about his disappointment in Netanyahu in interviews. According to a report by Israeli public broadcaster Kan, the Prime Minister’s Office is trying to set up a meeting between the two men. Netanyahu will not be able to meet with Trump unless he meets with Biden. Unless there are changes to his plans, Netanyahu is due to return to Israel on Thursday.

Most of those contacted have not yet accepted the invitation, and some hostage families, including at least two who have declined the invitation, have urged Netanyahu not to travel until a deal is reached to secure the release of their loved ones.