Israel-US

Official:

Biden to visit Israel on Wednesday

After meeting with Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Blinken officially announces that US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday.

Report:

US Marine rapid response force heading to Israel

Defense official says the force will consist 2,000 Marines and sailors.

Report:

US President Joe Biden coming to Israel on Wednesday

President reportedly accepts Netanyahu's invitation to visit Jewish State in show of solidarity in aftermath of Hamas massacre.

Sen. Graham warns Iran:

'If you escalate this war, we’re coming for you'

Sen. Lindsey Graham: If Hezbollah launches attack on Israel, I would consider that a threat to the state of Israel existential in nature.

Amid war with Hamas:

Netanyahu invites Biden for solidarity visit

If the visit would indeed occur, it will take place this week, before the IDF's ground incursion into the Gaza Strip.

Senator Schumer:

"We must provide Israel with support required to defend itself"

A bipartisan US Senate delegation had to run to a shelter after Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv.

US sending second aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean

Pentagon to send USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to the eastern Mediterranean to deter Iran or Hezbollah from joining Israel-Hamas conflict.

Blinken departs for Israel:

'Our message is simple: The United States has Israel’s back'

Secretary of State speaks before departing for Israel: We’re determined to make sure that Israel gets everything it needs to defend itself.

Biden:

'If there were no Israel, no Jew in the world will be safe'

US President Joe Biden speaks to leaders of Jewish community following Hamas attack on Israel: I told the Iranians - be careful.

Ahead of Israel visit:

Blinken speaks to President Herzog

US Secretary of State reaffirms “unwavering US support for Israel’s right to defend itself".

Amid Israel-Hamas war:

US Chief of Staff speaks to Israeli counterpart

Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Charles Q. Brown Jr., warns Iran not to get involved in the Hamas-Israel conflict.

In support for Israel:

White House illuminated in blue and white

White House illuminated with the colors of the flag of Israel. "We stand with Israel," says White House Middle East coordinator.

Obama:

'We stand alongside Israel as it dismantles Hamas'

Former US Presidents Obama and Clinton offer support for Israel. Clinton: Now is a time for the world to rally against terrorism.

House committee heads preparing bipartisan pro-Israel measure

Chair and ranking member of House Foreign Affairs Committee preparing a bipartisan resolution affirming US support for Israel.

White House:

'Several US nationals killed in Hamas attack on Israel'

National Security Council spokesman says several Americans have died in Hamas' attack on Israel. No additional details provided.

Benny Gantz meets US National Security Advisor Sullivan

The meeting's goal was reportedly to update Gantz on the components of the normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia.

Nikki Haley:

'We will always have Israel's back'

Nikki Haley answers questions from young voters: Too many people think that Israel needs America. That's not the case, America needs Israel.

Israeli, Saudi officals fear:

US insistence on Palestinian issue can harm normalization

Sources say disagreements regarding the central issues on the agenda can be overcome, while the Palestinian issue can collapse the talks.

Pro-PA groups:

'Suspend Israel's entry into the Visa Waiver Program'

Pro-Palestinian Arab groups say Israel's acceptance into VWP should be suspended until a lawsuit in the matter is resolved.

Israel Heritage Foundation:

'Israel should be deciding which Americans to admit'

Israel Heritage Foundation welcomes Israel's acceptance to Visa Waiver Program, criticizes senators who demanded Israel admit antisemites.

Report:

Blinken signed letter recommending Israel to Visa Waiver Program

Sources tell Axios that Secretary of State recommended to allow Israel to join the US Visa Waiver Program.

State Department:

'No decision yet about Israel and Visa Waiver Program'

State Department spokesperson says a determination on Israel's candidacy for the Visa Waiver Program will be made "in the coming days".

Israel on brink of joining US Visa Waiver Program

Report: Unofficial communication from the US confirms Israel satisfies prerequisites for Visa Waiver Program.

Prime Minister’s Office:

'Biden-Netanyahu meeting mostly dealt with Israel-Saudi peace'

Prime Minister’s Office summarizes meeting between Netanyahu and Biden: A good and friendly private conversation.

Henry Kissinger:

'I'm worried about the concessions to the Saudis'

Former US Sec. of State discussed negotiations between the US and Saudi Arabia, the political situation in Israel, and the Yom Kippur War.

Fmr. Ambassador Oren:

'The protesters feel they have support of the Biden admin.'

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren criticized the planned protests against PM Netanyahu in the US.

Saudis, PA & judicial reform:

This is what PM Netanyahu and President Biden will discuss

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to depart tonight to the US, where he will address the UN and meet with world leaders.

White House confirms:

Biden and Netanyahu to meet in New York next week

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirms Biden will meet Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly.

White House won't confirm Biden-Netanyahu meeting

"No meetings to speak to at this point", says White House official John Kirby when asked about reported meeting next week.

Senators to Biden:

'Do not accept Israel into the Visa Waiver Program'

15 Democratic senators claim Israel is not abiding by its commitments and as such should not be accepted to Visa Waiver Program.

US boycott continues:

Senior Israeli ministers not invited to embassy New Year toast

Invitations to the event were withheld from Ministers from Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit, including Smotrich and Ben-Gvir.

Gallant to top US officials:

'Iran undermines stability in the Middle East'

During the meetings the minister discussed the Abraham Accords, Iran, IDF counterterrorism efforts in Judea and Samaria, among other things.

Smotrich against the US:

'We saw how they acted in Afghanistan and Iraq'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that no one is as ethical as Israel and that the US has no right to criticize the Israeli government.

Netanyahu clarifies:

'Israel allows freedom of movement, terrorists take advantage'

Netanyahu’s office issues English statement clarifying Ben Gvir’s comments which resulted in condemnation from the United States.

Again:

US equates Burqa incident to Palestinian Arab terrorism

US Ambassador to the UN expresses concern over terrorist attacks against Israelis but also condemns "terror attack by settlers in Burqa".

Republican candidate:

'The United States should reduce its aid to Israel'

Vivek Ramaswamy, a contender for the Republican presidential nomination, says Israel should not get more aid than its neighbors after 2028.

Blinken to Dermer:

'Israel, Palestinians should take steps to de-escalate tensions'

Secretary of State meets Minister for Strategic Affairs in Washington.

Amid concerns over refusals:

Chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff to visit Israel

Gen. Mark Milley will meet Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and other senior Israeli security officials.

Report:

Orthodox Jew Fmr. Treasury Secretary candidate for US ambassador

According to the report President Biden is considering appointing fmr. Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew as the US ambassador to Israel,

Michigan Democrat apologizes for Israel visit

Senator Sylvia Santana apologizes for her recent visit to Israel after it caused an uproar among her Arab and Muslim constituents.

US pushes back on Netanyahu's claim of White House visit

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby: We still anticipate Biden-Netanyahu meeting and it will be somewhere in the US.

Report:

US, Saudis agree on broad outiline for deal with Israel

Crown Prince bin Salman told advisors that he was in no rush to come to such an agreement, especially with the current Israeli government.

Mississippi:

Israeli Navy raises flag over new landing craft

The INS Nahshon, the first of two such crafts, will serve as a logistical axis for transporting equipment and soldiers.

Jewish group tells US lawmakers not to meddle in Israeli policy

Agudath Israel of America says judicial reform in Israel is a matter for Israelis to determine through 'their vibrant democratic process.'

Israeli officials:

Bid for US Visa Waiver Program progressing

Sources said that the matter is progressing, and the Americans are satisfied. "We're optimistic," the sources stated.

Ambassador Herzog:

'I was heartened to see the resounding bipartisan support'

Israel’s Ambassador to the US thanks lawmakers for attending last week’s speech to Congress by his brother, President Isaac Herzog.

White House:

'We're still working on details of Netanyahu-Biden meeting'

White House Press Secretary won't confirm location of meeting between Biden and Netanyahu: They agreed to meet later this year.

State Department:

'No plans to cut military aid to Israel'

Deputy State Department spokesperson: Our commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad.

'They speak candidly':

WH press secretary won't say if Biden believes Netanyahu

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre when asked whether Biden believes Netanyahu: They had a candid conversation.

White House to Israel:

'Respect the right of peaceful assembly'

US comments on incidents of violence during protests against the judicial reform: There is a significant debate in Israel.

White House:

'Unfortunate that vote took place with slimmest majority'

US expresses disappointment that first phase of judicial reform passed in the Knesset without a broad consensus.

Biden:

'Netanyahu shouldn't rush judicial overhaul bill'

US President tells Barak Ravid of Axios: Given the range of threats confronting Israel, it doesn’t make sense to rush the reform.

Ambassador Herzog:

'I didn't hear call from Biden admin. to stop the legislation'

Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, says he believes President Biden must invite PM Netanyahu to the White House.

Blinken on judicial reform:

'Major changes are best done by trying to build consensus'

Secretary of State at Aspen Security Forum: As such close friends with Israel, we share the concerns we have about the judicial reform.

Biden:

'Herzog and I discussed key issues of mutual concern'

US President tweets about his meeting with President Isaac Herzog: I look forward to strengthening our partnership.

Herzog and Harris announce:

'US and Israel to invest $70 million in climate initiative'

President Herzog meets US Vice President Harris: I want to thank you personally for your long-standing contribution to our relations.

Thomas Friedman:

Biden's message to Netanyahu: 'Please stop now'

The NYT analyst claims the US president invited him for a meeting to ensure his position is 'crystal clear to all Israelis.'

House approves resolution:

'Israel is not a racist or apartheid state'

House of Representatives votes 412-9 in favor of resolution condemning antisemitism and supporting Israel. All nine opposed were Democrats.

Herzog meets Blinken:

'We'll be discussing our missing in action and POWs in Gaza'

Secretary of State tells Herzog that Israel and the US "have a unique relationship, grounded in our commitment to Israel's security."

Biden to Herzog:

'The conversation with Netanyahu was good and cordial'

Biden tells Herzog the noise surrounding the judicial reform makes it difficult to promote regional processes in the Middle East.