After Fanfare, Netanyahu Speaks with Biden

Jerusalem, 18 February, 2021 (TPS) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Wednesday with US President Joe Biden, almost a month after Biden took office and after an upheaval in the media.

Some perceived the delay as a snub from Washington or signaling a chilling of ties between the two allies.

However, the Prime Minister’s Office stated that the conversation was “very warm and friendly” and continued for approximately one hour.

The two leaders “noted their longstanding personal connection and said that they would work together to continue strengthening the steadfast alliance between Israel and the US.”

The two have known each other for decades.

Biden and Netanyahu further “discussed the future advancement of the peace accords, the Iranian threat and regional challenges, and agreed to continue their dialogue.”

Biden commended Netanyahu “on his leadership in the fight against the Coronavirus; the two exchanged ideas on ways to deal with the pandemic,” the PMO stated.

The White House stated that Biden “affirmed his personal history of steadfast commitment to Israel’s security and conveyed his intent to strengthen all aspects of the US-Israel partnership, including our strong defense cooperation.”

They also discussed “the importance of continued close consultation on regional security issues, including Iran.”

Biden emphasized the US’ “support for the recent normalization of relations between Israel and countries in the Arab and Muslim world. He underscored the importance of working to advance peace throughout the region, including between Israelis and Palestinians.”

They “affirmed their shared interest in continued strategic cooperation to confront the many challenges facing the region,” the White House said.

Biden’s call to Netanyahu was the first with a leader in the Middle East.