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President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday. Biden hosted Netanyahu in the Oval Office for a bilateral meeting, with the two leaders meeting with families of American hostages held hostage in Gaza later in the White House Cabinet Room.  The meeting was the first time the two world leaders have met in person since Biden visited Israel shortly after Hamas’ terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

Netanyahu thanked Biden for his 50 years of public service and his support of the state of Israel during a press conference at the Oval Office before the meeting: “Mr. President, we’ve known each other for 40 years and you’ve known every Israeli prime minister for 50 years from Golda Meir. So from a proud Jewish Zionist, to a proud Irish American Zionist, I want to thank you for 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the State of Israel.”

Harris later spoke with Netanyahu in the vice president’s ceremonial office in a high-stakes meeting since news broke that Harris is hoping to secure the Democratic nomination for the 2024 election, following Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race.

A senior administration official told reporters Wednesday that Biden planned to discuss his “ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, the very serious threats from Iran and from Iranian proxy and terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis,” adding that the men are also expected to speak “in depth” about developments in Gaza, including efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement and the humanitarian crisis. The administration believes that a deal “is in the closing stages and it’s reaching a point that we believe a deal is closable, and it’s time to move to close that agreement.”

Netanyahu is also scheduled to meet with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday.

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Per Reuters, Vice President Kamala Harris joined Democratic and Republican leaders in condemning protesters who burned American flags and sprayed pro-Hamas graffiti outside Washington’s Union Station on Wednesday. The protests coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress on Wednesday,

The Vice President said in a statement issued from her office: “I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organization Hamas, which has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel and kill Jews. Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent and we must not tolerate it in our nation. I condemn the burning of the American flag. That flag is a symbol of our highest ideals as a nation and represents the promise of America. It should never be desecrated in that way .. I support the right to peacefully protest, but let’s be clear: Antisemitism, hate and violence of any kind have no place in our nation.” 

Protesters marched near the U.S. Capitol building, condemning U.S. military aid to Israel during its war with Hamas militants in Gaza. Following Netanyahu’s speech, some of the demonstrators gathered in front of Union Station hoisting Palestinian flags outside the train station as they burned American flags and spray painted the words “Hamas is coming” and “Free Gaza” on a large monument. One American flag was set ablaze under an effigy of Netanyahu. Police used pepper spray on some of the thousands of demonstrators present, with U.S. Park Police sharing in a statement that at least eight people were arrested outside the train station after failing to disperse Wednesday afternoon. The crowd, police said, “damaged and destroyed park property, including vandalizing statues and fountains, tearing down and burning flags, and starting several small fires.”

The actions of the protesters outside Union Station also drew strong criticism from Republican U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and Hakeem Jeffries, the chamber’s Democratic leader. Harris is now the likely Democratic nominee for president after President Biden dropped his reelection bid.

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President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday for the first time since his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.

Delivering remarks from the Oval Office, Biden said that his decision to step aside from the 2024 presidential race was a matter of saving democracy. Said Biden: “I revere this office. But I love my country more .. It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But the defense of democracy is more important than any title. I draw strength, and find joy, in working FOR the American people. This sacred task of perfecting our Union is not about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures. It’s about ‘We the People.’ The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule. The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America – lies in your hands.”

Biden withdrew from the president race on Sunday, after a month of intense pressure from Democrats to change course after his poor debate performance, which raised conerns about his age and whether he could successfully defeat former President Donald Trump in November. Biden said on Wednesday: “Over the next six months I will be focused on doing my job as President. That means I will continue to lower costs for hard-working families and grow our economy. I will keep defending our personal freedoms and our civil rights – from the right to vote – to the right to choose.”

In the rare Oval Office address, Mr. Biden also reiterated his endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris to secure the Democratic nomination. Said Biden: “In just a few months, the American people will choose the course of America’s future. I made my choice. I’ve made my views known. I would like to thank our great vice president, Kamala Harris. She’s experienced, she’s tough, she’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me, and a leader for our country. Now the choice is up to you, the American people.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday, urging American leaders to provide more bipartisan support to Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu was invited to speak primarily by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has been severely critical of President Joe Biden’s response to the war.

Netanyahu was defiant in his remarks before Congress as he seeked support, all while criticizing those who have protested the conflict.  Said Netanyahu: “We meet today at a crossroads of history. Our world is in upheaval. In the Middle East, Iran’s axis of terror confronts America, Israel and our Arab friends. This is not a clash of civilizations. It’s a clash between barbarism and civilization. It’s a clash between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life. For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together.”

Netanyahu’s speech before Congress was his first address to U.S. lawmakers in nearly a decade, and his first since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel.  The Israeli Prime Minister said: “My friends, I came to assure you today of one thing: We will win. Like Dec. 7, 1941, and Sept. 11, 2001 – Oct. 7 is a day that will forever live in infamy .. For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together.”

Netanyahu later in his speech said that Israel is “actively engaged in intensive efforts” to secure the release of the remaining hostages: “some of them are taking place right now … [we will] not rest until all their loved ones are home.”

The Biden administration said that Netanyahu will meet with the President on Thursday afternoon at the White House to discuss a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal, as well as the United States’ “ironclad commitment to Israel’s security.” The two leaders will also meet with the families of the Americans held hostage by Hamas. Vice President Harris will meet separately with Netanyahu on Thursday, the White House confirmed

During his speech before Congress, Netanyahu thanked Biden for his “tireless efforts on behalf of the hostages” and his “heartfelt support for Israel” after the terrorist attack:  “He came to Israel to stand with us during our darkest hour, a visit that will never be forgotten.”  

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