UNITED States President Joe Biden is looking forward to a visit to Israel later this year, he told Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during a phone call between the two leaders yesterday, according to a statement from the White House.

Biden conveyed his “unwavering support” for Israel’s security and “full support” for replenishing the Iron Dome air defence system. The pair also discussed fears that Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine, said the statement.

“The president thanked the prime minister for his invitation to visit Israel and said he looks forward to a visit later this year.”

The US leader hosted Bennett at the White House last year, where the pair glossed over their differences and put up a united front.

Israel opposes Biden’s attempt to reverse his predecessor Donald Trump’s withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal that lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for stricture on its nuclear programme.

Bennett said he will continue settlement construction and is against a Palestinian state in territories Israel captured in 1967.

Biden spoke with Bennett to “reaffirm the warm and historic partnership between the US and Israel,” said the White House yesterday.

They discussed security in the Middle East, “including the threat posed by Iran and its proxies”.

Biden underscored his commitment to maintain stability in the region “together with Israelis and Palestinians enjoying equal measures of security, freedom, and prosperity”. – AFP, February 7, 2022.