After a long wait, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a call from U.S. President Joe Biden more than a month after Biden took office.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated in a recent announcement that Netanyahu received a "warm" call from Biden that lasted over an hour. The statement indicated that the call discussed continuing to advance peace agreements, the Iranian threat, and regional challenges, and both leaders agreed to continue their dialogue. It was noted that Netanyahu contradicted in the first phone call with Biden the push for peace agreements and the Iranian threats. According to the statement, the two leaders confirmed their intention to strengthen the strong alliance between Israel and the United States, in addition to discussing ways to combat the coronavirus and exchanging views on handling the pandemic.
Yesterday, the White House confirmed that Biden's first phone call with a leader in the Middle East would be with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated in a press briefing today, "I assure you that the first call with a leader in the Middle East will be with Prime Minister Netanyahu," adding that the call would be "soon but I don't know the exact day." The spokesperson noted, "Israel is an ally and we have a significant strategic relationship."
It is worth mentioning that Netanyahu indicated in press statements on Monday disagreements with the new U.S. administration regarding the Iranian and Palestinian issues, pointing out that he does not feel discomfort from not having received a phone call from President Joe Biden until that time. Netanyahu confirmed, "Our relationship has extended for many years, and the alliance between us is strong."
Typically, after being inaugurated, the U.S. president contacts prominent leaders of allied countries, especially Israel. However, Biden did not reach out to Netanyahu as quickly as has been customary in previous U.S. administrations. Biden has already contacted several foreign leaders, including those from China, Mexico, Britain, India, France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama, during whose administration Biden served as Vice President, both contacted Netanyahu within days of taking office. The absence of direct communication between the Democratic U.S. president and the right-wing Israeli prime minister has led to speculation in Israel and among Middle East experts that the new U.S. administration may be signaling its displeasure with the close relationship Netanyahu had with former President Trump.
Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, humorously created a new diplomatic situation by publishing Netanyahu's phone number, urging President Biden to call him. Danon posted a new tweet on his official Twitter account last night, mentioning Netanyahu's phone number and inviting Biden to call him, similar to his calls to leaders of ten other countries. Danon, the veteran Israeli diplomat, wrote that Biden had contacted leaders from ten different countries, including long-time U.S. allies such as Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, India, and Australia, questioning whether it was time to call the leader of Israel, America's closest ally.
