Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Biden hugs Netanyahu, Herzog as trip gets underway
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden embrace at Ben Gurion airport on October 18, 2023. (screen capture)
Wearing a black suit and blue and white tie, US President Joe Biden steps out of his plane, where he is greeted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog, and US chargés d’affaires Stephanie Hallett.
Netanyahu and Biden hug, as do Herzog and Biden.
The group smiles during the extended conversation outside the plane, and the mood seems relatively light and positive.
The reception has none of the usual pomp and circumstance around a US presidential visit.
