US President Joe Biden is visiting the Middle East for the first time since taking office. He is hoping to forge new partnerships among allies in the region and to mitigate the impact that Russia’s invasion has had on food and fuel supplies.
“We’re strengthening our connections even further,” Biden said on Wednesday after arriving at an airport near Tel Aviv, Israel. “We’ve reaffirmed the unshakable commitment of the United States to Israel’s security, including partnering with Israel on the most cutting-edge defense system in the world.”
Biden will meet on Thursday with interim Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
Israeli leaders have already normalized relations with their counterparts in several Arab countries. Biden wants to see such ties with Saudi Arabia, the leaders of which hold sway across the region. He will attend a summit of Arab leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Jeddah.
Biden knows the challenge of Iran will loom over all these meetings. Iranian leaders have criticized efforts to bring Arabs and Israelis closer.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said Biden needs to understand the “new realities of the world” and avoid trying to impose American values.
Biden will wrap up his trip on Saturday.
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