Biden to Meet Netanyahu at UN General Assembly Amid Strained US-Israel Relations

US President Joe Biden is set to have a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this month; however, the meeting will not take place at the White House, as reported by The Times of Israel on Friday, September 8, 2023.

In March, President Biden had announced that he wouldn’t be extending an invitation to Netanyahu “in the near term,” expressing deep concerns about the state of Israeli democracy, particularly in light of the far-right coalition’s plans for a judicial overhaul since taking office in December.

According to The Times of Israel, a high-ranking Israeli official stated that Netanyahu would have a meeting with Biden on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month.

Since President Biden assumed office approximately eight months ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu hasn’t had the opportunity to meet with him.

In July, Netanyahu’s office announced that Biden had extended an invitation for a meeting, although the venue wasn’t specified.

The White House has consistently criticized statements and policies originating from members of Netanyahu’s hardline government and their plans for judicial reform.

Netanyahu is currently scheduled to address the General Assembly on either the 21st or 22nd of September.

Relations between Israel and the US have been tumultuous since the formation of the far-right coalition, which includes extremist ministers.

The White House has denounced settlement expansions, escalated anti-Palestinian violence, the potential erosion of civil liberties, and the Israeli government’s intentions to overhaul the judicial system.

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