Air Force One arrives at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Biden reverses Trump policy on aid to Palestinians, does not condemn wave of terrorism against Israelis
JERUSALEM, Israel – President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians and announced plans to increase US economic aid to the Palestinian people, reversing multiple policies implemented by former President Trump. After spending time with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem, Biden met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other top Palestinian officials before visiting the Church of the Nativity, the site Christians say was the birthplace of Jesus. During his remarks, the president referred to his administration’s plans to implement a series of economic and confidence-building measures aimed at improving the daily lives of Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, but stopped short of condemning Palestinian terrorism that has obstructed peace efforts in the past and sparked countless rounds of violence with Israel. The president also said the US would increase financial contributions to the controversial UN agency UNRWA, which supports and advocates for Palestinian refugees, adding $200 million to its budget to make it the largest donor.
Biden stresses commitment to two-state solution in meeting with Palestinian President Abbas
President Biden emphasized his continued commitment to the two-state solution during a meeting Friday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. The Palestinian people deserve a state of their own with “an equal measure of freedom and dignity” as Israel, he said. He said that while the goal of a two-state solution may seem “distant” and Americans can feel the “sadness and frustration” of the Palestinians, the US will “never abandon the work of peace.” The US “will not give up trying to bring Israel and Palestine closer,” he added. He said “there must be an end to the violence” that has destroyed “too many families”. Case in progress
Iran military spokesman: Biden will ‘pay the price’ after saying he would use force as ‘last resort’
Iranian military spokesman Shakarchi said US President Biden will “pay the price” after he said he would use force as a “last resort” to keep Iran from nuclear weapons. Iranian Armed Forces Spokesman Brigadier General Abul-Fadl Shakarchi: “Using the term force against #Iran by the President of the US and the Prime Minister of the Zionist entity is psychological warfare for which the enemy will pay.” Translated from Arabic: Spokesman of the Iranian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shakarchi: The use of the term force against #Iran by the US President and the Prime Minister of the Zionist entity is a psychological war for which the enemy will pay. Jadeh Iran @jadehiran
Israeli PM Lapid thanks Biden for ‘commitment’ to Israel, wishes him ‘success’ in Saudi Arabia
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Friday thanked President Biden for his visit to Israel this week. He said that after the leaders signed the “Jerusalem Declaration,” “deepening America’s commitment to Israel’s security, the fight against Iran’s nuclear program, and advancing the normalization initiatives of the Abraham Accords and the Negev Summit,” Saudi Arabia has opened Saudi Arabian airspace. to Israeli airlines. “I would like to thank the President of the United States, Joe Biden, for a visit that moved our entire country and for his commitment to Israel’s military and diplomatic strength,” he said. He wished Biden “success” at the Jeddah summit in Saudi Arabia and thanked the Saudi leadership “for opening Saudi airspace. This is only the first step. We will continue to work with the necessary care, for the sake of Israel’s economy, security and the good of our citizens.”
Biden Says US Gives $100M to East Jerusalem Hospital Network Treating Palestinians
President Biden spoke at Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem on Friday morning. The hospital is part of the East Jerusalem Hospital Network, which Biden called “the backbone of the Palestinian health care system.” Dr. Fadi Atrash, CEO of Augusta Victoria Hospital, introduced Biden and called his visit a “courageous statement of support for the Palestinian people.” The president announced that the US would give an additional $100 million to the hospital system, which he said he hoped would ensure its “long-term financial stability.” He added that Israelis and Palestinians both deserve an equal measure of “dignity” and said the US would continue to work with the Palestinian leadership.
White House won’t say whether Biden will touch on Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi meeting
The White House will not say whether President Biden will mention Jamal Khashoggi by name during meetings with Saudi officials this week, despite Khashoggi’s widow saying the administration has assured her he will. Biden will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on Friday after his appearances in Israel. Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, met with White House officials last week and told Fox News host Bill Hemer that she was assured Khashoggi’s name would come up. “Yes, I was assured that the issue of human rights, and on top of that the tragedy of my husband — will be raised,” she told Hemmer on Thursday. Read more: White House won’t say whether Biden will touch on Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi meeting after widow’s silence
Biden says Democrats who think Israel is ‘apartheid state’ are ‘wrong’: ‘Israel is a democracy’
President Biden called out members of his party who believe Israel is an “apartheid state.” during an interview in Israel on Wednesday. Biden was asked to respond to “voices” within the Democratic Party who believe that “Israel is an apartheid state” and are calling for an end to “unconditional aid” to Israel. Biden said the “few” voices within the Democratic Party referring to Israel as an apartheid state are “wrong.” Read more: Biden says Democrats who think Israel is ‘apartheid state’ are ‘wrong’: ‘Israel is a democracy’
