From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Biden says no plans to address Knesset amid deepening public spat with Netanyahu
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US President Joe Biden tells reporters he does not have any plans to address the Knesset, after saying over the weekend that he might take that step in order to directly appeal to the Israeli public regarding his concerns over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s prosecution of the war in Gaza.
After telling MSNBC that he might take the far-reaching step, he declined to provide any additional information.
Earlier today, a member of the White House pool asked him if he has plans to address the Knesset, and he responded, “No, not at this moment.”
Asked whether he has scheduled a meeting with Netanyahu, who he last spoke with roughly two weeks ago, Biden responded, “no.”
Pressed whether he plans to schedule such a meeting, Biden adds, “We’ll see what happens.”
Biden regularly takes questions from the White House pool while traveling to and from events. Over the past several months, a wildly disproportionate number of questions have been about Israel.
In the footage aired by MSNBC of its interview with Biden, nearly eight of the ten minutes were of questions regarding Israel.
"Have you scheduled your 'come to Jesus' meeting with Bibi Netanyahu?"
BIDEN: "No."
"Do you plan to, sir?"
BIDEN: "We'll see what happens."
"Do you plan to address the Israeli Parliament?"
BIDEN: "No, not at this moment." pic.twitter.com/SKjSCCJf3s— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) March 11, 2024
