White House Refuses to Confirm Whether Biden and Netanyahu Will Meet in Washington

The White House has declined to state whether U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the latter visits Washington next month to address Congress.

“I have nothing to announce today,” Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in an interview with CBS. “He is coming to give a speech to Congress. The President speaks with him regularly,” Sullivan added.

Sullivan expressed hope that an agreement regarding a ceasefire and hostages would be reached before Netanyahu's arrival in Washington. “HAMAS just needs to say ‘yes’ to the proposal on the table,” he stated.

Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress on July 24. Biden has always been a staunch supporter of Israel during its conflict in Gaza, but as he seeks re-election in November, he has faced criticism from leftist political groups due to the rising Palestinian casualties from Israeli attacks.