Biden departs Israel for Saudi Arabia

The US reaffirmed that it is prepared to use military force to stop Iran from attaining a nuclear weapon, in the Jerusalem US-Israel Strategic Partnership Joint Declaration US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid was set to sign after their meeting on Thursday.

The United States stresses in the Jerusalem Declaration “that integral to this pledge” - a commitment to Israel’s security and qualitative military edge - “is the commitment never to allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon and that it is prepared to use all elements of its national power to ensure that outcome.” 

Following his meeting with Biden, Lapid said that “the only thing that will stop Iran is knowing that if they continue to develop their nuclear program the free world will use force. The only way to stop them is to put a credible military threat on the table.”

“It should not be a bluff, it should be the real thing,” Lapid stated. “The Iranian regime must know that if they continue to deceive the world, they will pay a heavy price.” 

In the meeting, Lapid told Biden that nuclear talks with Iran cannot continue to be open-ended and must have a deadline, a senior source said. He also said the Western parties to the 2015 Iran Deal must call the UN Security Council and snap back sanctions on the Islamic Republic for its nuclear violations.

“The only thing that will stop Iran is knowing that if they continue to develop their nuclear program the free world will use force. The only way to stop them is to put a credible military threat on the table.”

Prime Minister Yair Lapid

In the Jerusalem Declaration, the US also said it will work with “other partners” against Iranian aggression and destabilizing actions it takes directly or through proxies.

Background

The declaration comes a day after Biden said in an interview with Channel 12 News that the US would use military force against Iran “as a last resort.” 

Prime Minister Yair Lapid preparing for a meeting with US President Joe Biden. (credit: KOBI GIDON / GPO)

Biden also remarked on “how important it was from my perspective for Israel to be totally integrated into the region,” and Lapid said that Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia “is important for Israel and the region, for our security and the future prosperity of the Middle East.”

“Our hand is outstretched for peace,” Lapid stated in a message he said he wanted Biden to relay to the Gulf States. “We are ready to share our technology and experience, ready for our people to meet and learn about one another, already for our scientists to collaborate and our businesses to cooperate.” 

The US president plans to fly directly to Jeddah from Israel and is expected to announce an agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia by which Israeli commercial flights can enter Saudi airspace, in exchange for Israel agreeing to changes in security arrangements in the Straits of Tiran. The countries are also in talks for Saudi Arabia to allow a limited number of direct flights from Israel for Muslims taking part in the pilgrimage to Mecca, but it they may not be completed in time for Biden’s visit.

In addition, the US supports a follow-on Memorandum of Understanding to follow the one signed in 2016 granting Israel $38 billion in defense aid to be spent in the US, as well as additional funding for missile defense, such as the $1 billion to replenish the Iron Dome following the conflict with Hamas in Gaza last year.

The countries also said they will promote cooperation in developing “cutting edge defense technologies” like laser weapons systems.

“Nothing better reflects the steadfast and bipartisan support of the US to Israel’s security than the unprecedented [MOU] on security assistance signed by successive US administrations over the past few decades,” the declaration states.

Israel also thanked the US for supporting the Abraham Accords, which the country said are “important to the future of the Middle East region and to the cause of regions security, prosperity and peace.” 

The countries also expressed concern for the ongoing war on Ukraine, and their “commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and affirm the importance of continued humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine.”

In addition, they said they will work together to combat boycott and delegitimization efforts against Israel, including at the UN or the International Criminal Court. 

“While fully respecting the right to freedom of expression, they firmly reject the BDS campaign,” the declaration reads. “The two countries will use the tools at their disposal to fight every scourge and source of antisemitism and to respond whenever legitimate criticism crosses over into bigotry and hatred or attempts to undermine Israel’s rightful and legitimate place among the family of nations.”

“The United States is proud to stand with the Jewish and democratic State of Israel, and with its people, whose uncommon courage, resilience, and spirit of innovation are an inspiration to so many worldwide,” the declaration states.

The declaration also mentions Israeli-Palestinian relations, condemning terrorism, and a shared commitment to initiatives to improve Palestinians’ economy and quality of life. Biden reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution.

Biden did not make any requests of Israel pertaining to the Palestinians during the meeting with Lapid, other than that there not be any surprises, the senior source said. During Biden’s visit to Israel as vice president in 2010, thousands of new homes in east Jerusalem were announced, causing a diplomatic crisis.

In addition, the Jerusalem Declaration mentions the launch of the US-Israel Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology, which is a partnership on critical and emerging tech and areas of global concern such as pandemic preparedness, climate change and artificial intelligence. They agreed to cooperate on cyber exchange and combatting cybercrime.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid and US President Joe Biden signed a joint declaration on Thursday reaffirming the two nations' partnership and cooperation when it comes to Iran among other topics that Israel and the US have joint interests in.

The declaration was signed after a meeting held between Lapid and Biden on the second day of Biden's visit to Israel.

Iran

The declaration reiterated the US commitment to ensuring that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon and that it is "prepared to use all elements of its national power to ensure that outcome."

The US also pledged to continue to work with partner nations to stop Iran's attempts to destabilize the region both directly and through proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Yair Lapid meet on the second day of Biden's visit (credit: KOBI GIDEON/GPO)

Memorandum of Understanding

The declaration also referred to the $38 billion MOU on security assistance supplied to Israel by the US that has been signed over the last few decades by consecutive US administrations.

The declaration expressed the US's conviction to add a follow-up MOU to "address emerging threats and new realities."

Israel expressed its appreciation of the US's assistance, and the two countries expressed enthusiasm for moving forward with a close defense partnership.

The Abraham Accords

Israel thanked the US for its support in the Abraham Accords, and Israel and the US reiterated the importance of the Negev Forum that met last month in Bahrain. 

The declaration expressed the commitment of the US to the effort of expanding the accords with Saudi Arabia in Biden's upcoming visit over the weekend as well as including further Arab and Muslim countries.

Anti-Israel and antisemitic attacks

The two nations reaffirmed their dedication to fighting against efforts to boycott and delegitimize Israel as well as efforts to unfairly single it out in organizations such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court.

The declaration also committed to fighting against antisemitism and the US reiterated its pride of standing "with the Jewish and democratic State of Israel."

Israeli-Palestinian Relations

Regarding the tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, both nations condemned the series of terror attacks in recent months and affirmed "the need to confront radical forces... seeking to inflame tension and instigate violence and terrorism."

Biden reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution and expressed the US's readiness to work with Israel and the Palestinian Authority to make a peaceful solution to the tensions possible. 

The Jerusalem US-Israel Strategic Partnership Joint Declaration was signed by Prime Minister Yair Lapid and US President Joe Biden on Thursday.

The leaders of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States held the first meeting of the “I2U2” Group on Thursday.

The meeting focused on food security crisis and clean energy, proposing the advancement of programs for each.

The groups affirmed their support for the Abraham Accords and the economic opportunities that are developing from the peace and normalization agreements with Israel. 

Food Security

The UAE, which is hosting the COP28 climate change conference in 2023, will invest two billion dollars for integrated food parks in India that will use climate-smart technology to reduce food waste and spoilage and conserve fresh water.

US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Yair Lapid meet on the second day of Biden's visit (credit: KOBI GIDEON/GPO)

Israel and the US will advise on the project that is aimed at maximizing crop yields in order to offer a solution to food insecurity in South Asia and the Middle East.

Clean Energy

The four nations will cooperate on clean energy projects such as a hybrid renewable energy project in India that consists of wind and solar energy that is complemented with a battery energy storage system.

Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden will meet at 5:15 p.m. at President Isaac Herzog's residence in Jerusalem on Thursday.

The US reaffirmed that it is prepared to use military force to stop Iran from attaining a nuclear weapon, in the Jerusalem US-Israel Strategic Partnership Joint Declaration US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid was set to sign after their meeting on Thursday.

“We discussed the Iranian threat,” Lapid said following the hour-and-a-half meeting. “There will be no nuclear Iran. This is not only a threat to Israel but to the world, and we discussed some other issues we are going to keep to ourselves.”

Biden said that “the vast majority of the American public, not just my administration, is completely devoted to Israel’s security.” 

The United States stresses in the declaration “that integral to this pledge” - a commitment to Israel’s security and qualitative military edge - “is the commitment never to allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon and that it is prepared to use all elements of its national power to ensure that outcome.” 

“There will be no nuclear Iran. This is not only a threat to Israel but to the world, and we discussed some other issues we are going to keep to ourselves.”

Prime Minister Yair Lapid

Background

The declaration comes a day after Biden said in an interview with Channel 12 News that the US would use military force against Iran “as a last resort.“

Prime Minister Yair Lapid preparing for a meeting with US President Joe Biden. (credit: KOBI GIDON / GPO)

Biden and Lapid are expected to hold a press conference later Thursday.

Biden also remarked on “how important it was from my perspective for Israel to be totally integrated into the region,” and Lapid said that Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia “is extremely important to Israel.”

The US president plans to fly directly to Jeddah from Israel and is expected to announce an agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia by which Israeli commercial flights can enter Saudi airspace, in exchange for Israel agreeing to changes in security arrangements in the Straits of Tiran. The countries are also in talks for Saudi Arabia to allow a limited number of direct flights from Israel for Muslims taking part in the pilgrimage to Mecca, but it may not be completed in time for Biden’s visit.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid and US President Joe Biden discussed Iran in their meeting on Thursday.

"We are trying to build a coalition that we all need in the Middle East, and we talked about the Iranian threat in order to ensure that Iran won't have a nuclear weapon," Lapid said after their meeting.

"It's important to the whole world, not just Israel," he added.

Biden agreed with Lapid on the Iranian issue, saying that the US is committed to Israel's safety

Prime Minister Yair Lapid and US President Joe Biden began their official meeting in the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Jerusalem. 

The two are later expected to meet with their teams before meeting with India and UAE leaders in an online meeting. 

After the meetings, Lapid and Biden will hold a joint press conference.

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Yair Lapid will meet on Thursday and sign the the Jerusalem Declaration of the US-Israel Strategic Partnership which will be a centerpiece of Biden’s visit to Israel to end on Friday.

The agreement includes a joint stance against Iran’s nuclear program and regional aggression, with both countries saying they will use “all elements of national power” to ensure Iran never attains a nuclear weapon.

In addition, President Biden will reaffirm his commitment to Israel’s security, including its qualitative military edge and ability to defend itself by itself.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid preparing for a meeting with US President Joe Biden. (credit: KOBI GIDON / GPO)

The declaration states the US plans to follow up on the 10-year $38 billion Memorandum of Understanding on military aid signed with Israel, addressing emerging threats and new developments in the region.

Biden and Lapid will meet for about 90 minutes and will then hold a press conference. Later in the day, Biden will travel to the President’s Residence for a reception where he will receive the presidential medal, will hold a short private meeting with Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu and will then travel to Teddy Stadium to attend the opening of the Maccabiah Games. 

White House officials have called the declaration “significant.”

“It includes a commitment to never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon and to address Iran’s destabilizing activities, particularly threats to Israel,” one administration official said late Wednesday evening.