US President Joe Biden met in Jerusalem with new Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid. In it, they signed a joint statement confirming the “unbreakable bond” between the two countries. They also discussed the threat to Iran, a senior US government official said. Biden also received the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor from Head of State Yitzhak Herzog.
In the statement, Israel and the US state that they will never allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons, and that they will address the country’s threats to Israel. Both heads of government also attended an online summit with India and the United Arab Emirates, the ‘I2U2’, to strengthen their cooperation on energy and food security.
The countries want to focus on “joint investments and new initiatives in the fields of water, energy, transport, space, health and food security”, the communication said. The United Arab Emirates will invest two billion dollars in India, for example in climate-friendly technologies to combat food waste, the conservation of fresh water and the use of renewable energy sources.
The four countries also have the ambition to “use the dynamism of our societies and our entrepreneurial spirit to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing our world.” They also say they support normalization and peace efforts between Israel and the Arab states.
“Loyal friend”
Herzog paid tribute to Biden in Jerusalem as a “loyal, lifelong friend of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.” Your tireless advocacy in word and deed for a lasting partnership between the US and Israel has stood the test of time.
The medal of honor was also previously awarded to former US President Barack Obama and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. It goes to people who have made an “exceptional contribution to the State of Israel or humanity.”
Biden, on his first visit to the Middle East as president, will travel to Saudi Arabia on Friday after meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.
Also read:
Biden assures Israel of “unabated” US support
Biden on his way for first tour in the Middle East
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