Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia, will discuss human rights, 'energy security,' officials say
The president arrived in Jeddah Friday before noon Eastern time at King Abdulaziz International Airport, after what the White House described as a "historic flight" from Israel to Saudi Arabia.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday that the flight "follows the monumental decision to open Saudi airspace to all civilian carriers without discrimination, a decision that includes flights to and from Israel."
The president then left the airport for a meeting with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Said at the Al Salam Royal Palace. Later, the president and his team met for a working session with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Ministers. Upon arrival, the president and the crown prince shared a fist-bump. Earlier on his trip, the White House had said due to COVID-19 precautions he would stay away from handshaking, something he seemed to forget.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, during a gaggle Friday, said the president will spend time speaking publicly on the issue of human rights—this, after Jamal Khashoggi, a contributor for the Washington Post, was killed in 2018 by Saudi security officials.
Read more: BIDEN ARRIVES IN SAUDI ARABIA, WILL DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS, 'ENERGY SECURITY,' OFFICIALS SAY
The White House is telling reporters not to expect any major energy announcements today. There was previously speculation that a deal with Saudi Arabia to pump more oil would be announced.
There is no Q&A session scheduled after the meeting between President Biden and Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
President Biden, Prince Salman fist-bump instead of shake hands
President Biden fist-bumps Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia as the two world leaders greet each other.
Biden and Salman will be speaking soon in the Peace Palace.
Air Force One arrives at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Breaking News
Biden reverses Trump policy on aid to Palestinians, fails to condemn terror wave against Israelis
JERUSALEM, Israel – President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians and announced plans to bolster U.S. financial aid to the Palestinian people, reversing multiple policies implemented by former President Trump.
After spending time with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem, Biden met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other top Palestinian officials before visiting the Church of the Nativity, the place Christians cite as the birthplace of Jesus.
During his comments, the president touched upon his administration’s plans to implement a series of economic and confidence building measures aimed at improving daily life for Palestinian people living in the West Bank and Gaza, but he stopped short of condemning Palestinian terrorism that has hampered peace efforts in the past and sparked countless rounds of violence with Israel.
The president also said the U.S. would increase financial contributions to the controversial U.N. agency, UNRWA, that supports and advocates for Palestinian refugees, adding $200 million to its budget to become the largest donor country.
Biden stresses commitment to two-state solution in meeting with Palestinian President Abbas
President Biden stressed his continued commitment to the two-state solution in a Friday meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.
The Palestinian people deserve a state of their own with an "equal measure of freedom and dignity" as Israel, he said.
He said while the goal of a two-state solution may seem "far away" and Americans can feel the "grief and frustration" of Palestinians, the U.S. will "never give up on the work of peace."
The U.S. "won't give up on trying to bring Israel and Palestine closer together," he added.
He said there "must be an end to the violence" that has devastated "too many families."
Developing Story
Iran military spokesperson: Biden will 'pay the price' after saying he'd use force as 'last resort'
Iranian military spokesperson Shakarchi says US President Biden will "pay the price" after saying he would use force as "last resort" to keep Iran from nuclear weapons.
Iranian Armed Forces Spokesman, Brigadier General Abul-Fadl Shakarchi: "The use of the term force against #Iran by the US President and the Prime Minister of the Zionist entity is a psychological war for which the enemy will pay."
Translated From ARABIC: المتحدث باسم القوات المسلحة الإيرانية العميد أبو الفضل شكارتشي: استخدام رئيس أميركا ورئيس وزراء الكيان الصهيوني مصطلح القوة ضد #إيران حرب نفسية سيدفع العدو ثمنها جاده إيران Jadeh Iran @jadehiran
Israeli PM Lapid thanks Biden for ‘commitment’ to Israel, wishes him ‘success’ in Saudi Arabia
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Friday thanked President Biden for his visit to Israel this week.
He said that after the leaders signed the “Jerusalem Declaration,” “deepening America’s commitment to Israel’s security, the fight against the Iranian nuclear program and the advancing of normalization initiatives of the Abraham Accords and the Negev Summit,” Saudi Arabia has opened Saudi airspace to Israeli airlines.
“I would like to thank the President of the United States, Joe Biden, for a visit that moved our entire country and for his commitment to Israel’s military and diplomatic strength,” he said.
He wished Biden “success” at the Jeddah summit in Saudi Arabia and thanked Saudi leadership “for the opening of Saudi airspace. This is only the first step. We will continue working with necessary caution, for the sake of Israel’s economy, security and the good of our citizens.”
Biden says US is giving $100 million to East Jerusalem hospital network that treats Palestinians
President Biden spoke at Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem Friday morning. The hospital is part of the East Jerusalem Hospital Network, which Biden called the “backbone of the Palestinian healthcare system."
Dr. Fadi Atrash, CEO of Augusta Victoria Hospital, introduced Biden and called his visit a "courageous statement of support for the Palestinian people."
The president announced that the U.S. would give an additional $100 million to the hospital system which he said he hoped would ensure its "long-term financial stability."
He added that Israelis and Palestinians both deserve equal measures of "dignity" and said the U.S. will continue to work with Palestinian leadership.
White House won't say if Biden will bring up Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi meeting
The White House won't say whether President Biden will bring up Jamal Khashoggi's name during meetings with Saudi officials this week, despite Khashoggi's widow saying the administration assured her he would.
Biden will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) Friday following appearances in Israel.
Khashoggi's widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, met with White House officials last week, and she told Fox News host Bill Hemmer that they assured her that Khashoggi's name would come up.
"Yes, they did assure me that the human rights issue, and on top of it my husband's tragedy — it will come up," she told Hemmer on Thursday.
Biden says Democrats who believe Israel is an 'apartheid state' are 'wrong': 'Israel is a democracy'
President Biden called out members of his own party who believe that Israel is an "apartheid state." during an interview in Israel Wednesday.
Biden was asked to respond to "voices" within the Democratic Party who believe "Israel is an apartheid state" and call for an end of "unconditional aid" to Israel.
Biden said that the "few" voices within the Democratic Party who refer to Israel as an apartheid state are "wrong."
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