President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in New York on Wednesday, emphasizing their four-decade friendship and areas of common ground. The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, marked the first one-on-one meeting between the two leaders since Netanyahu returned to office in December. Biden welcomed Netanyahu warmly and stated that they would discuss various issues, including “checks and balances” and the preservation of a two-state solution and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Both leaders highlighted the opportunity to expand economic relations and work closely together. Biden also praised the growing ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Notably, the meeting took place at the UN rather than the White House, where Biden will later host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Netanyahu has not been invited to the White House since returning to office, which is seen as a reflection of the Biden administration’s disapproval of Israeli judicial reforms.
Earlier this year, during mass protests and strikes in Israel, Biden expressed concern over the proposed reforms and urged Netanyahu to find a compromise. While Netanyahu’s office claimed that he had been “invited” to meet Biden in the US, the White House did not refer to it as an invitation and did not disclose the meeting location. However, as the meeting began, Biden expressed hope that they would see each other in Washington by the end of the year.
During the meeting, Biden and Brazilian President Lula da Silva announced an international partnership for workers’ rights. The partnership aims to address challenges such as worker exploitation, forced labor, clean energy transition, and discrimination against marginalized groups. It is part of Biden’s effort to strengthen and expand bilateral partnerships to promote workers’ rights globally. This is the second time the two presidents have met face-to-face, with Biden hosting Lula at the White House previously.
While the partnership begins as a bilateral initiative, there is potential for other countries to join in the future. The Biden administration, however, is currently facing labor challenges domestically, with strikes occurring in various sectors demanding better pay, benefits, and working conditions. The officials clarified that the partnership does not discourage the right to strike, which is a fundamental aspect of workers’ rights.
Biden’s meeting with Netanyahu and his partnership with Lula come as he attends the UN General Assembly. On Tuesday, he made a strong case for supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. However, the future of US aid to Ukraine remains uncertain as Congress prepares for a spending battle. As Biden’s second day at the UN, the meetings and announcements underscore his commitment to international relations and addressing global challenges.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-09-20 15:35:00