Netanyahu will visit the White House “at some point” says Kirby

BY DAVID SAFFER

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s first visit to the White House since taking office will occur at “at some point” this year.

The delay, due to the protracted judicial reform debate and controversial statements by far-right Cabinet members, has been a thorny issue for US President Joe Biden, but US House of Representatives’ newly elected speaker Kevin McCarthy, who is in Israel on his first visit in the post, has called for Israel’s leader to make the trip.

And White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters during a press conference that he expected Netanyahu to make the journey. McCarthy had told the packed media that he would invite Netanyahu to Congress if Biden failed to extend an invitation to the White House.

“Israeli leaders have a long tradition of visiting Washington,” Kirby noted.

Kirby, however stated that the White House position Israel’s judiciary was unchanged.

Israeli leaders, meantime, held positive talks with McCarthy

President Isaac Herzog hosted McCarthy. The two met for a private working meeting, followed by a wider diplomatic meeting with members of the bipartisan delegation.

Herzog and McCarthy discussed ways to deepen cooperation between the countries.

Herzog said: “Our relationship with the US runs in our DNA, America is a very close ally of ours. We are pleased with full integration in the region as a result of the Abraham Accords, which came after peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt. On the other hand, there is a great enemy threatening us (Iran). Half an hour in any direction from here is an enemy state, and we believe that the alliance with America is of great importance.”

McCarthy responded: “There is no other democracy in the Middle East, there are only two countries that were created with the idea, conceived in liberty but dedicated to the idea that everybody's equal. Sometimes you have tough neighbours, but we want to make sure that changes, and I think the Abraham Accords was one of the greatest milestones that we could do towards this, and we need to build on that. You've developed an amazing country, especially when it comes to technology.”

Netanyahu met McCarthy at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem.

Israel’s PM said McCarthy was an “old and trusted friend” of the State of Israel.

“He has been a champion of the Israeli-American alliance,” Netanyahu noted. “I think we have no better friend. You've brought with you a bipartisan delegation to express solidarity with Israel on its 75th anniversary. You're going to be the second speaker who speaks in the Knesset, and you will be welcome with open arms.” he added: “The recent statement by 400 members of Congress in support of Israel was tremendous. To get 95% agreement on anything today is no mean matter. I think it expresses the strength of that alliance and the strength of that support.”

McCarthy noted: “It's on purpose that I came to Israel, because there is no greater ally to America than Israel. To be able to say to my longtime friend, the Prime Minister, just your leadership, your character and your courage, you inspire us in America as well. You're right about our resolution honouring 75 years of Israel. We're proud of the history that 11 minutes after you became a country, America recognised you.

“Our bonds have only grown each and every year. The world is better when

American and Israel are tighter. The world is safer. I think of what we've been able to accomplish.

“Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. As we continue to grow that, I think the world will be safer, be stronger and our children will have a much beautiful world in the future.”

Netanyahu, in comments at the Opening of the Knesset Summer Session with McCarthy present, spoke about the joint effort of Israel and the US to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“The IDF and the US Armed Forces recently completed the largest military exercise in the history of Israel and for this I would like to thank the Biden administration,” he observed.

“We correctly view the threat emanating from the fanatic regime in Iran, which threatens not only Israel but also the US and the entire free world. The need to block the nuclear arming of Iran will continue to be at the top of Israel's priorities during the Knesset summer session, as will our determination to confront Iran's regional proxies. We will not allow Iran to place a noose of terrorism around us, not in Syria, not in Lebanon, not in Gaza, and not in Judea and Samaria. We will also not allow Iran to entrench itself militarily on our borders and we will do everything to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons.”

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana opened the session by thanking McCarthy for accepting his invitation. McCarthy was well received by MK’s when he gave an address.

“America is grateful for our friendship with Israel, we are a better nation because of it and we must never shy away from defending it,” he said. “We have come so far in 75 years but the promise of years ahead is just as compelling. I believe the best days for Israel and our unbreakable bond are ahead of us.”

Netanyahu spoke about judicial reform issues and reaching a “broad consensus” as it was at the heart of the Israeli national debate.

He noted: “Most Israelis understand nowadays that amendments to the legal system are necessary, amendments that will return the appropriate balance between the branches of government, a balance that is necessary in a democracy.”

In a lighter moment away from the political debate, footage of Ohana displaying his guitar prowess with a rendition of The Eagles' classic Hotel California alongside legendary player Kfir Ohayon has gone viral.