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President Donald Trump may meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Israeli leader’s visit to the U.S. next week.
Netanyahu is traveling to address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday where he also hopes to meet in person with Trump, according to Israeli media.
The prime minister is currently scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden. However, the president’s recent Covid diagnosis may stop the event.
Netanyahu is expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris if Biden remains unavailable. His travel to the U.S. begins on Sunday.
“We have every expectation that the two leaders will have a chance to see each other,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday, according to The Times of Israel.
Kirby noted that “the president’s health and his recovery from COVID takes priority.”
Netanyahu also released a video of support following Trump’s recent assassination attempt.
“Like all Israelis, my wife Sara and I were shocked by the horrific assassination attempt on the life of President Donald Trump,” the prime minister stated.
“This wasn’t just an attack on Donald Trump. This was an attack on a candidate for the presidency of the United States. This was an attack on America. It was an attack on democracy, it was an attack on all the democracies,” he continued.
Netanyahu also wished Trump a swift recovery on behalf of his nation.
“On behalf of myself, my family, the Government and people of Israel, we wish President Trump a speedy recovery, continued good health and continued strength,” he concluded.
Trump and Netanyahu experienced positive relations during his term in office. The 45th president announced Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, moving the American embassy to the historic location.
Trump also recognized the Golan Heights as part of the state of Israel in 2019. Other accomplishments include Trump’s opposition to Iran and the unprecedented signing of the Abraham Accords, providing the first peace agreement between Israel and its neighbors in over two decades.
In January 2020, Netanyahu referred to Trump as “history’s most pro-Israel U.S. president.”