From the Liveblog of
Monday, June 28, 2021
Rivlin to Biden: Israel has no greater friend than the US
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Speaking alongside US President Joe Biden in the White House Oval Office, President Reuven Rivlin assures his American counterpart that, no matter the disagreements between them, ties between the US and Israel will always endure.
“I’m delighted, really delighted to be here once again in the White House visiting you, the president of the United States. Of course, I have to repeat what we know really well, Israel has no greater friend… than the United States of America,” says Rivlin.
He underlines the values shared by Israel and the US: “Values of democracy and values of liberalism.”
Rivlin says that disagreements between the two close allies are inevitable, “but we count on you and your declaration just now really brought Israelis to understand that we have a great friend in the White House.”
Rivlin during his closed-door meeting with Biden was slated to present Israel’s position against US efforts to return to the Iran nuclear deal that former president Donald Trump bolted in 2018.
The new Israeli government’s position against the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action JCPOA is the same as the one taken by former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has pledged to handle disagreements behind closed doors, as opposed to Netanyahu who was more willing to publicize his disapproval with the American administration.
Rivlin and Biden are joined at the White House meeting by Israeli Ambassador to the US and UN Gilad Erdan and senior staff at the president’s office along with Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, and NSC Director for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs Julie Sawyer.
Rivlin is in Washington as part of a farewell tour in the US at the invitation of Biden. He will meet with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and senior congressional leadership on Capitol Hill later in the afternoon. Rivlin completes his term as president next week and will be replaced by Isaac Herzog.
The Times of Israel Community.