This week, President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York.
President Biden said during the meeting:
"Even where we have some differences, my commitment to Israel, as you know, is ironclad. I think without Israel, there’s not a Jew in the world that’s secure. I think Israel is essential."
And Prime Minister Netanyahu said:
"I want to reassert here before you, Mr. President, that one thing is certain and one thing will never change and that is Israel’s commitment to democracy... I think that working together we will realize the promise [of peace], roll back the dangers [from Iran], and bring a better future for our region and the world."
The meeting between these two world leaders and old friends is a powerful reaffirmation of the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel.
Netanyahu also said to Biden, speaking of the potential for a landmark normalization agreement, "I think that under your leadership, Mr. President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia."
Israeli opposition MK Benny Gantz said: "I commend Prime Minister Netanyahu's meeting with President Biden. A meeting important for Israel and for the region entirely."
The United States and the Jewish state continue to work together to advance peace in the Middle East and counter the threat of Iran and its terror proxies in the region.
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Please see below additional stories we have been monitoring throughout the week.
World Leaders Speak at the U.N. General Assembly
This week, the U.N. General Assembly met, and world leaders took to the stage in New York. Below is a collection of some key quotes from their speeches.
President Biden: "Israel’s greater normalization and economic connection with its neighbors is delivering positive and practical impacts... And we’re working with our partners to address Iran’s destabilizing activities that threaten regional and global security and remain steadfast in our commitment that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu: "There’s no question the Abraham Accords heralded the dawn of a new age of peace. But I believe that we are at the cusp of an even more dramatic breakthrough, an historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia will truly create a new Middle East," and, "Sanctions have not been snapped back to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This policy must change... As long as I’m Prime Minister of Israel, I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons."
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in a reference to Iran's continued efforts to assassinate U.S. government officials in response to the killing of IRGC General Soleimani: "The Islamic Republic of Iran, through all tools and capacities in order to bring to justice the perpetrators and all those who had a hand in this government sanctioned act of terror, will not sit until that is done. The blood of the oppressed will not be forgotten."
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas falsely accused Israel of: "entrenching apartheid," trying to "intimidate and kill our people, destroy homes and property, steal our money and resources, and detain the bodies of the martyrs,” and "feverishly digging tunnels under and around Al-Aqsa Mosque, threatening its collapse, or the collapse of parts of it, which will lead to an explosion with untold consequences."
Additional speeches will take place through next Tuesday.
Saudi Journalist: "Abbas holds onto the past as the Palestinian future slips away"
A prominent Saudi journalist, Abdulaziz Alkhamis, recently wrote in The Times of Israel, saying: "Every day, Palestinians lose so much due to a leadership that is living in the past," criticizing the failed leadership of PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
He concludes: "For real progress to be made, Palestinian leadership must deal with reality and build positive relations with all international partners, including Israel."
U.S. and Saudi officials are continuing talks to secure a landmark normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a rare interview on Wednesday that the prospects of normalized relations between both countries "get closer" every day.
Israel Acts to Counter Palestinian Terror as Threat Escalates
Israeli security forces this week conducted counterterror operations in Jenin, the West Bank city that has become a hotbed of Iranian-backed Palestinian terrorism.
Israel, America Make Progress Ahead of Visa Waiver Program Deadline
Ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline for Israel's entry to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) this year, Israeli and American officials are continuing to make progress toward ensuring Israel is admitted. Israel’s inclusion in the program would be a historic step forward in U.S.-Israel relations.
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