The Biden Administration and Israel
President Biden’s support of Israel spans decades, and while in office, he has been an outspoken advocate for Israeli security and democracy. Read this regularly updated timeline for a full recap of the Biden administration’s support for Israel.
READ OUR KEY FACTS ON THE CRISIS IN ISRAEL
September 27, 2023 – The Biden Administration announced the admission of Israel into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. This is an important step toward strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship and deepening the unbreakable alliance between the two countries and the American and Israeli people. As a result of the Biden administration’s work in expanding this critical partnership, engagement, economic cooperation, and security coordination between the U.S. and Israel will increase. Read JDCA’s full statement.
September 20, 2023: President Biden met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual concern. The President wished the Prime Minister and the people of Israel a happy new year during Rosh Hashanah. President Biden reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between the two countries, which is based on the bedrock of shared democratic values, and the United States’ iron-clad commitment to Israel’s security. During the meeting, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, as well as ongoing close cooperation between Israel and the United States to counter all threats posed by Iran and its proxies.
July 24, 2023: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement regarding the developments in Israeli judicial overhaul. In the statement, she noted that “President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible.”
July 19, 2023: Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with Vice President Kamala Harris while in Washington. The Vice President noted that the last time she had seen President Herzog in-person was when he gave her a tour of the Knesset while serving as opposition leader and while she was the Senator from California.
July 18, 2023: At President Biden’s invitation, President Isaac Herzog arrived in Washington, D.C. and met with President Biden. In his remarks afterward, President Biden called the U.S.-Israel relationship “simply unbreakable.” President Herzog noted that President Biden has “always stood by the State of Israel and the people of Israel in so many issues.”
July 17, 2023: President Biden had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “discuss a broad range of global and regional issues of mutual concern.” He also stressed to the Prime Minister that, in regard to the proposed judicial overhaul, there is a “need for the broadest possible consensus, and that shared democratic values have always been and must remain a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
June 6, 2023: Vice President Kamala Harris – joined by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff – was the guest of honor at a celebration of Israel’s 75th Independence Day hosted by the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. Vice President Harris reiterated the administration’s commitment countering antisemitism and to Israel’s security, including Iron Dome funding, the Abraham Accords, and a two-state solution.
June 5, 2023: Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered remarks at the 2023 American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Summit. He highlighted the administration’s new National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism and underscored President Biden’s commitment to the 2016 memorandum of understanding.
April 25, 2023: President Biden released a statement recognizing Israel’s 75th Independence Day, saying, “As a life-long friend and supporter of the State of Israel, I have worked my entire career to deepen and strengthen our partnership…Today, as we mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, we reaffirm our enduring friendship and commitment to Israel’s security. Yom Ha’atzmaut Sameach!”
March 26, 2023: U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson released a statement emphasizing U.S. support for Israeli democracy. Watson urged the Israeli government to focus on building broad consensus and avoiding moving forward with any reforms that would compromise Israel’s democratic system.
March 19, 2023: President Biden called Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss notable developments in Israel. First, President Biden welcomed a meeting between the U.S., Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, and Jordan that emphasized peace and the need to reduce regional tensions. He also underscored the importance of democracy as a pillar of the U.S.-Israel relationship and urged caution from Israel before pursuing any reforms that would eliminate vital checks and balances. Lastly, he emphasized the U.S.’s ongoing support for Israeli security and promised further collaboration between the U.S. and Israel on key security issues.
March 6, 2023: Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan convened a meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group with several key foreign policy and defense leaders from Israel. In this meeting, they discussed how the U.S. and Israel can work together to counter nuclear threats from Iran and support Israel’s continued security. Sullivan emphasized the Biden Administration’s unwavering support for Israel and committed to deepening the partnership between the U.S. and Israel on security issues.
January 28, 2023: Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to offer her condolences following the terror attack in Jerusalem. She reaffirmed the U.S.’s continued support for Israeli security and the Biden administration’s commitment to fighting antisemitism in Israel, the U.S., and around the world.
January 27, 2023: President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the terror attack in Jerusalem which claimed seven Israeli lives. He reaffirmed his support for Israel and emphasized his and the U.S.’s commitment to Israeli security and sovereignty.
January 27, 2023: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement condemning the terror attack in Jerusalem and offering U.S. support. She reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to combating anti-Jewish bias and preventing violence around the world and emphasized that the Biden administration stands with the people of Israel.
January 19, 2023: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan traveled to the West Bank with Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk. During this visit, they met with key members of the Israeli government to discuss the deep-rooted partnership between the U.S. and Israel and how they can collaborate on key national security issues. Sullivan also met with the Palestinian Authority to share the U.S.’s efforts to improve the living conditions of Palestinians in the West Bank and reaffirm the U.S.’s support for a two-state solution.
January 19, 2023: Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan met with National Security Advisors from Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss how they can partner on the normalization of relations in the Middle East. They discussed how they can work together on technological innovation, food security, and fighting the climate crisis among other global challenges.
December 29, 2022: President Joe Biden congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Knesset’s ratification of his new government. He reaffirmed the U.S.’s support for Israel and urged the new government to avoid policies that will jeopardize the viability of a two-state solution or challenge Israeli democracy.
December 22, 2022: U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata led a meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group. In this meeting, they discussed protecting Israeli security in light of Iran’s expanding partnership with Russia. They also discussed preventing Iran from creating or acquiring a nuclear weapon and reaffirmed key partnerships between the U.S. and Israel on a number of security issues.
November 21, 2022: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces to discuss shared security concerns. Sullivan emphasized the need to de-escalate the conflict in the West Bank and reaffirmed the United States’ continued support for Israeli security.
November 7, 2022: President Biden called former Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu to commend the strength of Israel’s democratic process and renew his commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship, despite the change in leadership.
October 27, 2022: President Biden celebrated the conclusion of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon regarding their maritime border. He recognized this as a historic step towards peace and stability in the region and welcomed the final version of this agreement.
October 26, 2022: President Biden met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House to discuss a number of key areas of collaboration between the United States and Israel. President Biden emphasized his unwavering support for Israeli security and condemned the current rise in antisemitism around the globe. President Biden also reaffirmed his support for a two-state solution and called on Israel to help improve living conditions for Palestinians.
October 17, 2022: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shared the details of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s upcoming visit to Washington. During the visit, President Biden and President Herzog will discuss many issues of shared importance, including national security concerns and how the U.S. and Israel can continue to collaborate on global challenges.
October 11, 2022: President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Lapid of Israel to congratulate him on a historic breakthrough agreement to establish a permanent maritime boundary between Israel and Lebanon.
September 28, 2022: U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata to discuss technological collaborations between the U.S. and Israel to address pandemic preparedness, climate change, as well as stronger artificial intelligence. Sullivan spoke of the need to better the living conditions of Palestinians and celebrated the progress made on freedom of travel in the West Bank and expanded 4G coverage in the West Bank and Gaza.
September 20, 2022: President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Lapid announced the U.S.-Israel Strategic High-Level Dialogue on Technology. This dialogue established new collaborations between the U.S. and Israel on a number of key global issues including public health, climate change, and the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. To help strengthen this initiative, the U.S. will host an Israeli delegation to foster discussions and collaboration between key experts in these areas.
August 26, 2022: U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin Gantz to discuss the U.S. and Israel’s shared defense priorities and reiterate the U.S.’s support for Israeli national security. They also discussed their shared commitment to ensuring that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.
August 23, 2022: U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata to discuss the U.S.’s ongoing support for Israeli self-defense and cooperation with Israel on a number of global issues. They also discussed President Biden’s recent visit to Israel and how to advance the normalization of relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
July 15, 2022: President Biden secured Saudi overflight rights for civilian flights to and from Israel. Before this, flights to Israel had to fly around Saudi Arabia en route to Israel which made these flights significantly longer and increased their fuel consumption. These new rights shave off hours of flight time and allow for more efficient routings. Because of this breakthrough, President Biden was the first U.S. President to be able to fly directly from Israel to Saudi Arabia.
July 14, 2022: President Biden became the first U.S. President to attend the Maccabiah Games. He expressed how proud he was of the American delegation at the games and emphasized the importance of the Games for the global Jewish community. The American delegation was the largest foreign delegation competing and the games were a symbol of the continued strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
July 14, 2022: President Biden received the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor from President Isaac Herzog of Israel. In his remarks after receiving the medal, Biden said “Israel and the United States are both places built on hope, grit, and determination. And I believe, together, we will always stay true to our founding values and that we can help make hope and history rhyme once more.”
July 14, 2022: President Biden and Prime Minister Lapid of Israel signed a declaration reaffirming U.S. support for Israel and how the two nations can continue to work together to advance their shared values and interests in the Middle East and worldwide. They outlined how the Biden administration will continue to collaborate with Israel on technology and innovation as well as oppose the BDS movement.
July 13, 2022: President Biden visited Yad Vashem and met with two Holocaust survivors. He wrote a message in the guest book, reading, “We must never, ever forget, because hate is never defeated. It only hides. We must teach every successive generation that it can happen again unless we remember. That is what I teach my children and grandchildren. Never forget.”
July 13, 2022: President Biden landed in Israel for his official three-day visit to the Jewish State. While in Israel President Biden will sign the Jerusalem Declaration and receive the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor for his decades-long friendship and commitment to Israel’s security and prosperity.
July 7, 2022: Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that he would present President Biden with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor during Biden’s upcoming visit to Israel. The Medal of Honor committee spoke on President Biden’s long support of Israel, writing, “Since the start of President Biden’s rich career in public service in the 1970s, he has established himself as a person who loves Israel and is a true friend of the whole Jewish People.”
June 14, 2022: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shared the intentions and plan for President Biden’s trip to Israel and the Middle East. She emphasized that President Biden will visit Israel to voice his continued support for Israel’s security and success as a nation. President Biden will also reaffirm his support for a two-state solution and equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians.
May 31, 2022: U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata held a meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group to express their shared commitment to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons. They also emphasized the continued strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continued allyship and cooperation between the two nations.
April 24, 2022: President Biden held a call with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett where he “affirmed his unwavering support for Israel and its defense needs, and welcomed the historic $1 billion allocation to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome system.” President Biden also emphasized the strength and importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship and his strong personal relationship with Prime Minister Bennett.
April 14. 2022: Vice-President Kamala Harris held a call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to express her condolences over the deaths of Israeli citizens amid a spike of terrorist attacks in Israel. She reaffirmed her support for Israeli self-defense and continued security and emphasized the U.S.’s continued support for Israel.
March 30, 2022: President Biden called former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to express his condolences over the deaths of 11 Israeli citizens following a slew of terrorist attacks in Israel. The President reaffirmed his support for Israeli self-defense measures and emphasized the continued unity of the U.S. and Israel against terrorist threats.
March 15, 2022: After months of obstruction from Republicans in the Senate, President Biden signed into law $1 billion in supplemental emergency funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.
February 9, 2022: National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata at the White House. Sullivan reiterated U.S. support for Israel and also discussed future U.S.-Israel collaborations on science and innovation.
February 6, 2022: President Biden spoke with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to discuss the shared U.S.-Israel security goals in the Middle East and reaffirm the Biden administration’s support for replenishing Iron Dome funding. President Biden also shared his intentions to visit Israel later in 2022 and expressed that he would continue to work with Bennett’s team to foster a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.
January 26, 2022: U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata held a meeting of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group to discuss U.S. intentions to protect Israeli security interests and protect Israel from any Iranian aggression.
December 22, 2021: U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli National Security Advisor Dr. Eyal Hulata met in Jerusalem as part of the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group. They discussed the current state of U.S.-Israel relations under the Biden administration and the road forward.
December 21, 2021: U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan travels to Israel and the West Bank on behalf of the Biden administration to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
October 12, 2021: Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yaid Lapid came to Washington and met with Speaker Pelosi and Vice President Harris. Lapid thanked the Speaker and VP for their support of the the additional funding for the Iron Dome and the Speaker reiterated the strong bipartisan support for Israel in Congress.
September 23, 2021: House Democrats led passage of a bill providing $1 billion in funds for Israel to replenish the Iron Dome missile defense system. 95% of House Democrats supported the bill after Republicans refused to support the funding as a part of a Continuing Resolution, forcing a standalone vote.
September 21, 2021: While addressing the United Nations, President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s security, a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and not allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. “The commitment of the United States to Israel’s security is without question. And a support — our support for an independent, Jewish state is unequivocal.”
August 27, 2021: President Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Washington, D.C. The President conveyed his ironclad support for Israel’s security and right to self-defense, expanding Israel’s normalization in the Middle East, and the President underscored his administration’s full support for replenishing Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.
August 25, 2021: Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Washington, D.C. Ahead of the PM’s Meeting with President Biden the following day. Secretary Blinken emphasized the strong relationship the Biden administration wishes to continue to maintain with the new Israeli government, and the two discussed the security issues surrounding Iran.
July 22, 2021: President Biden sends the nomination of Thomas R. Nides, of Minnesota, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the State of Israel to the Senate. Mr. Nides previously served as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources in the Obama administration.
June 28, 2021: President Biden has an in-person meeting with President Reuven Rivlin of Israel as he prepares to end his term as President. The President emphasized the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel and the deep ties between our governments and our people ahead of the meeting.
June 13, 2021: President Biden has a call with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of Israel, congratulating him on the formation of a new government. The President made it clear to Prime Minister Bennett that his administration will continue to be a strong ally of Israel and work towards achieving peace in the region.
June 13, 2021: President Biden issues a statement on the new Israeli government. In it, the President congratulates Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and the newly formed cabinet on their achievements.
June 13, 2021: Vice President Harris extends her congratulations to the newly formed Israeli government.
June 2, 2021: President Biden issues a statement on the election of Isaac Herzog as the 11th President of the State of Israel. In it, he asserts his confidence in President-elect Herzog’s qualifications and thanks outgoing President Rivlin for his service.
June 3, 2021: Vice President Harris issues a statement on the election of Isaac Herzog as the 11th President of the State of Israel. In it, she asserts his confidence in President-elect Herzog’s qualifications.
June 3, 2021: Vice President Harris thanks outgoing President Rivlin for his service.
May 24, 2021: President Biden announces that Secretary of State Blinken will be traveling to Israel to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leadership in the aftermath of a month of violence. The President explains that the Secretary will focus on Israel’s security and providing assistance to those in need in Gaza.
May 20, 2021: President Biden delivers remarks on the Israeli-Palestinian violence. He is glad to see the ceasefire and praises the protection brought to Israeli civilians–Jewish and Arab–by the Iron Dome. He thanks all parties that were involved in the diplomatic process.
May 20, 2021: President Biden announces that a ceasefire has been reached between Israel and Hamas. He expresses his condolences to everyone who has lost loved ones in the violence and reasserts his focus on centering diplomatic solutions to the conflict.
May 19, 2021: President Biden has a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on the ongoing security situation in Israel and Gaza. He focused on the need to forge a path to a ceasefire.
May 17, 2021: President Biden has a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on the ongoing security situation in Israel and Gaza. He stressed the importance of Israel maintaining the right to defend itself, while arguing that the Israeli government must do everything in its power to protect the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza.
May 15, 2021: President Biden has a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on the ongoing security situation in Israel and Gaza. He focused on the issue of intercommunal violence, conveying the importance of holding violent extremists accountable for their actions. He reasserted his strong support for a two-state solution.
May 15, 2021: President Biden has a call with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to convey the U.S.’s commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Palestinian partnership and discussing the ongoing security situation in the region.
May 12, 2021: President Biden has a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on the ongoing security situation in Israel and Gaza. He argued in favor of reaching a diplomatic solution between the Israeli government and Hamas, while denouncing the senseless violence and attacks on innocent civilians being perpetrated by Hamas.
April 30, 2021: President Biden issues a statement on the Mount Meron Tragedy in Israel.
April 30, 2021: Vice President Harris issues a statement on the Mount Meron Tragedy in Israel.
April 15, 2021: Vice President Harris celebrates Israel’s 73rd Birthday.
March 4, 2021: Vice President Harris has a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on the US-Israel Relationship under the Biden-Harris Administration. They discussed a broad set of issues, including Israel’s increased relations with Arab nations.
February 17, 2021: President Biden has a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on the US-Israel Relationship under the Biden-Harris Administration. He asserts that their teams have been working closely together on a variety of security related issues.