On the way home, Bennett says all goals were “met and exceeded” during the US trip

WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Naftali Bennett left the US early in the morning on Sunday, announcing his “warm” and “successful” meeting with President Joe Biden on Friday, saying that all of his goals had been achieved during his trip.

“We are on the verge of a successful visit to Washington – the climax of which was meeting Biden,” said Bennett in a statement shortly before leaving the US capital. “We had a particularly warm and helpful meeting. Biden and I have built a direct and personal relationship based on trust. “

Bennett and Biden met at the White House on Friday after the meeting was postponed for 24 hours due to the deadly bombing of Kabul airport on Thursday that killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 US military personnel.

After the 50-minute meeting of the two heads of state and government, Biden reaffirmed the US “commitment to ensure that Iran never develops a nuclear weapon … We’ll put diplomacy first and see where this leads us. But if diplomacy fails, we are ready to turn to other options. “

On leaving on Sunday, Bennett said he had “met and exceeded all of the goals we set for the meeting. We have agreed on a joint strategic cooperation to stop the Iranian nuclear race. “

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He also noted progress towards Israel’s entry into the US visa waiver program: “For the first time, Biden has instructed that the deal be promoted and finalized as soon as possible,” said Bennett. The Prime Minister said he wanted to “thank Biden for the very warm welcome.”

He also addressed the IDF’s overnight attacks on Gaza in response to violent border riots and multiple balloon fire attacks. “As I said, we will operate in Gaza according to our personal interests,” he said. “The responsibility [for activities] in Gaza was and is Hamas. “

Palestinian protesters burn tires after a demonstration along the Gaza Strip-Israel border east of Gaza City on August 28, 2021. (Photo: MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)

Army Radio reported on Sunday that Bennett had presented Biden with several conditions for rebuilding Gaza, including an immediate halt to rocket and rocket fire by Hamas, and progress on an agreement to return two Israeli citizens and the bodies of two IDF soldiers from the terrorist group being held.

However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly argued that the return of Israeli prisoners should not be a requirement for basic humanitarian issues such as fuel and electricity.

Army Radio also reported that during their meeting, Bennett and Biden had agreed not to emphasize their differences of opinion over building settlements in the West Bank. Reports indicate that the Biden government will not pressurize Israel on the matter, while Bennett’s government will not approve massive construction.

“Both sides are determined not to define the relationship on this issue,” the outlet quoted an unnamed diplomatic source as saying.

Bennett arrived in the United States early Wednesday morning and was due to meet with Biden at the White House on Thursday. But just as he was arriving, word broke of the fatal bomb attacks on Kabul airport, in which at least 182 people were killed. The meeting was postponed to Friday morning and the entire Israeli delegation was forced to stay in DC over Shabbat as there was not enough time to fly back at sunset before the Sabbath began.

After their meeting, Biden emphasized “the unwavering commitment we in the United States have for the security of Israel” and pledged to work on “ways to promote peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.”

United States President Joe Biden (right) meets Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on August 27, 2021. (AP / Evan Vucci)

Biden added that the US was helping Israel to forge “deeper ties” with its Arab and Muslim neighbors, despite not using the term “Abrahamic Accords”, apparently in line with government policy towards those conveyed by the previous US administration Agreement.

Bennett told reporters shortly after the meeting that he invited Biden to visit Israel at a later date and said their meeting was warm and constructive.

“It was a wonderful meeting, especially the one-on-one,” he said. “It was mainly a work meeting. It was the feeling that we have known each other for a long time. I have found a leader who loves Israel, who knows exactly what he wants and who is responsive to our needs. “

The prime minister said that even after the explosion in Kabul, Biden had been adamant in postponing the meeting.

“I am really grateful to the President and all of his staff for their determination to hold the meeting,” said Bennett, praising the Biden administration for its “attention and focus at the height of a complex American incident.”

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