Joe Biden brought a message of loyalty, emotion and caution to Israel during his historic visit this week. During his four-day visit, Biden sought to reassure Israeli leadership of the United States’ commitment to their security, while voicing his support for potential two-state solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The vice president opened his trip by expressing regret over the recent surge in violence between the Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank. He also called for a renewed push for a peace agreement between the two sides. “No one,” he said, “can deny the reality: the only path to true security and lasting peace is through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians leading to two states living side by side in peace and security.”
Biden also met with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and urged both sides to “seize the moment” and take steps to reduce tensions between them. He similarly emphasized the importance of Israel maintaining its “qualitative military edge” in the region.
Building on the current administration’s more traditional pro-Israel stance, Biden’s visit highlighted the United States’ strong relationship with Israel. Biden referred to it as a “partnership based on shared values, shared history, and yes, shared destiny.” He also expressed his personal admiration for the country, saying during his visit that “in my heart and soul, Israel will always beat like a second, strong pulse.”
As Biden closes his visit to Israel, his message of loyalty, emotion and caution carries weight as a reminder of the strong bond between the two countries. President Joe Biden, who previously declared himself to be a “Zionist,” has made it clear that the United States stands firmly in support of Israel’s security and the potential for a two-state solution.
