U.S. President Joe Biden landed in Israel on July 13, 2022. The moment he landed, the world watched Biden refrain from shaking hands with the Israeli world leaders, instead opting to fist bump them. Although, he later did shake their hands. The White House claims that this was because Biden was attempting to limit contact with COVID-19 as much as possible.
Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid urged Biden to put pressure on Iran. Lapid showed concerns about Iran developing their nuclear program. In addition, Israel claims to have had covert sabotage and assassination operations that showed Iran could create enriched nuclear fuel. Biden, however, says that keeping diplomatic relations that upkeep the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement is a better option.
“If they continue to develop their nuclear program, the free world will use force" - Prime Minister Yair Lapid
Despite Israel's close ties with the United States, Joe Biden has had a bit of a strained relationship with Israel historically.
Also, Biden is visiting Saudi Arabia and meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. Biden had asked Saudi Arabia to produce more oil and lower the prices. There's been a lack of oil since the Russo-Ukraine war, which reduced the availability of oil worldwide. But this request concerns Saudi Arabia as they fear the possibility of their allegiance being dropped by the U.S.A. given enough street protests by the people against the government, as had been done with Egypt in 2011.
Currently, the Middle East is responding to Biden's visit with low expectations and a lack of loyalty to his administration.
We await further news on this matter.
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