The meeting between President Joe Biden and Naftali Bennett, Israeli Prime Minister, comes amid heightened tensions against Iran and Israel’s struggle with a gradual resurgence in hostilities at its southern border with Gaza Strip.
Bennett made his first overseas state visit since taking office Wednesday. He met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at The Pentagon, and was due to meet with Antony Blinken later in the day.
According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office, Bennett stated that Iran would be his top priority during his conversation with Biden. He also mentioned other issues such as the quality edge of the Israeli military and the pandemic coronavirus.
Bennett has voiced concern about the possibility of Iran signing a new nuclear agreement with world powers. He also stated that any agreement must stop Iran’s aggression in the region. A string of attacks against Israeli-connected shipping has been witnessed in recent months, which is believed to be carried out by Iran.
Bennett had earlier this week told his Cabinet that he would tell President Obama “that now is a time to halt Iran’s activities, to stop these things” and not to re-enter a “nuclear deal that has expired and is no longer relevant, even for those who once believed it was relevant”.
In the three months following an 11-day war against Islamist militants that left at least 265 people dead in Gaza, and another 13 in Israel, friction has been growing between Israel’s Hamas rulers in Gaza.
The last week has seen the end of indirect negotiations between the sides in an attempt to reach an agreement for the reconstruction and maintenance of the Gaza Strip. Hamas has launched incendiary bombs into southern Israel, and held violent demonstrations at the border, raising fears of renewed violence.
Bennett stated before takeoff that there is a new government at the U.S., and one in Israel. He also brought with him a new spirit for cooperation from Jerusalem. This was based on the long and special relationship between the two countries.
Bennett was elected to office two months ago, after assembling a coalition of eight different political parties. These included a group that includes Jewish ultranationalists and a small Islamist party. This came after Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation.
