US President Joe Biden landed in Israel on Wednesday afternoon to great fanfare and many red carpets, asserting in front of the world: “You need not be a Jew to be a Zionist.”
Moments after landing at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport for the much-anticipated first visit of his presidency, Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to Israel’s security, promising to strengthen the security of the region in the face of threats from Iran.
Greeted by President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Yair Lapid, and Alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the 46th US president reminisced briefly about previous visits and relationships with former leaders, and emphasised the deep connections between Americans and Israelis.
“It’s an honour to once again stand with friends and visit the independent Jewish state of Israel,” Biden began, noting his first visit to the country as a young senator in 1973, before any US president had made the journey.
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US President Joe Biden arrives in Tel Aviv during his Middle East tour
He discussed the continued growth of the bilateral relations between generations, asserting: “The connection between the Israeli people and the American people is bone deep.”
Biden pledged to “fight the poison of antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head,” noting the “horror” of the Holocaust and his planned visit to Yad Vashem.
The US president then turned to collaboration between the two countries, particularly in the realm of security, saying he will explore cutting-edge Israeli defence systems, the Iron Dome and the brand-new laser-powered “Iron Beam”.
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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during the welcome ceremony as Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Israeli President Isaac Herzog listen during Biden's visit to Israel (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Biden also emphasised his support for a two-state solution, saying that Israel and a Palestinian state is the solution to the conflict in the region, “even though it’s not [feasible in the near term]”.
He concluded his remarks by saying: “May Israel and the US continue to grow and prosper together for the benefit of the entire world.”
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid called Biden "a great Zionist and one of the best friends Israel has ever known".
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Israel's President Isaac Herzog (L) and caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid (C) listen to US President Joe Biden (R) as he addresses his hosts upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Photo by Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images)
He continued: "It is historic because it expresses the unbreakable bond between our two countries. Our commitment to shared values: democracy, freedom, and the right of the Jewish people to a state of their own.”
Lapid turned briefly to national security, referencing a "new security and economy architecture within the nations of the Middle East, following the Abraham Accords and the achievements of the Negev Summit".
He also said that the pair will discuss "the need to renew a strong global coalition that will stop the Iranian nuclear program".
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Israel's Caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid welcomes President Joe Biden to Israel on the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv (Photo by Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images)
But with a smile, he concluded: "Right now, we are simply happy to see you, Mr. President. The simple, genuine joy brought by seeing a good friend once again.”
Biden and Lapid then walked together towards the waiting motorcades to whisk the two men (separately) to the first stop on their itinerary, but not before Lapid shared a memory with the US president from eight years prior: "You told me that if you had my hair, you would be president of the United States, and I said to you that if I had your height, I would be Israel’s prime minister."
