Biden says he looks forward to working with Netanyahu, ‘my friend for decades,’ stresses 2-state solution

US President Joe Biden says he looks forward to working with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance Mideast peace after the latter swore in a new government earlier today.

“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has been my friend for decades, to jointly address the many challenges and opportunities facing Israel and the Middle East region, including threats from Iran,” Biden says in a statement.

“From the start of my Administration, we have worked with partners to promote this more hopeful vision of a region at peace, including between Israelis and Palestinians,” he says. “We aim to continue this important work with Israel’s new government under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership.”

“And as we have throughout my Administration, the United States will continue to support the two-state solution and to oppose policies that endanger its viability or contradict our mutual interests and values.”