Biden departs Israel for Saudi Arabia

Final preparations for the flight of US President Joe Biden to Saudi Arabia have begun. 

Final preparations before the departurel of US President Joe Biden, at the Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, July 15, 2022. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

US President Joe Biden pledged his support for a two-state resolution based on the pre-1967 lines with mutual swaps when he held a joint press conference with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday in Bethlehem.

He did not cede to Abbas' request to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state, but he spoke of a "future Palestinian state" and one with continuous territory.

"Two states along the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, remains the best way to achieve equal measures of security prosperity freedom and democracy for the Palestinians as well as Israelis.

“The Palestinian people deserve a state of their own that is independent, sovereign, viable and continuous,” Biden said. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and US President Joe Biden react after a statement, in Bethlehem in the West Bank July 15, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMAD TOROKMAN)

When will Israel and the PA hold talks?

Despite this, he said, the ground is "not ripe" at "this moment to restart negotiations."

It is possible, however, he said, to use Israel's new ties with its neighbors to improve relations with the Palestinians.

US President Joe Biden gives a statement, in Bethlehem in the West Bank July 15, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMAD TOROKMAN)

“At this moment, when Israel is improving relations with nations throughout the region we can harness that same momentum to reinvigorate the peace process between the Palestinian people and the Israelis,” Biden said. 

When it came to Jerusalem, Biden said, “it was central to the national visions of both Israelis and Palestinians.”

The issues

“Jerusalem must be a city for all its people. Its holy sites preserving its status quo, with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan continuing to serve as custodian,” Biden explained.

Biden acknowledged the loss of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed in May while covering an IDF raid in Jenin. The US has said that is likely she was accidentally shot by an IDF soldier. 

"She was an American citizen and a proud Palestinian," whose work was vital to democracy, Biden said. 

"The US will continue to insist on a full and transparent accounting of her death," he said. 

To help improve Palestinian day-to-day life, Biden said, he was pledging an additional $200 million to the United Relief and Works Agency.

Biden also referenced the pledge he made earlier in the day when he visited Augusta Victoria hospital in east Jerusalem for $100 million for Palestinian health care services in east Jerusalem.

The United States has engaged with Israel on steps to improve life for Palestinians including the provision of a 4G internet system for Palestinians, renewable energy and freedom of movement for goods and people. 

"We cannot wait for a peace agreement to solve everything. The best way to keep the hope is to stick to the goal that things will get better," said Biden. 

"The Palestinian Authority has its own work to do," he said, listing them as insisting on and prioritizing democracy, transparency and implementing more transparency. 

"This is critical to building a democratic Palestinian society."

Abbas urged the United States to unilaterally recognize the state of Palestinian with east Jerusalem as its capital “on the 1967 borders" and called on it to end the “Israeli occupation.”

All the roads in Jerusalem have reopened for traffic as US President Joe Biden continues on his visit to the region, meeting Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem. 

During Joe Biden's visit to Israel this week, he showered the country with love. He spoke about how someone does not have to be Jewish to be a Zionist and how he would always support Israel's right to defend itself by itself. 

On Friday though, Biden arrived at the east Jerusalem hospital Augusta Victoria in a limousine without an Israeli flag, a sharp break from the way he traveled throughout Israel over the last few days when his armored limousine - known as the "Beast" - had an Israeli flag on one side and an American flag on the other. 

The move is a direct undermining of Israeli sovereignty over east Jerusalem, a part of the capital annexed by Israel shortly after the Six Day War in 1967. 

Biden's visit to east Jerusalem had already angered Israelis after he refused a request to allow a government official to accompany him on the visit to the hospital where he committed $100 million to Palestinian hospitals, adding to funds already allocated to the matter.

US President Joe Biden arrived on Friday at the Muqata’a Presidential Compound in Bethlehem and met with Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomes US President Joe Biden in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank July 15, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMAD TOROKMAN)

US President Joe Biden is en route to Bethlehem where he will meet Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas at the Muqata’a Presidential Compound.

He began the journey to Bethlehem after delivering an address at the Augusta Victoria hospital in east Jerusalem.

The US will commit an additional $100 million to Palestinian hospitals, adding onto funds already allocated to the matter, US President Joe Biden said at the Augusta Victoria hospital in east Jerusalem on Friday morning.

"The US has been proud to support this network of hospitals with $85 million since 2014... for respect and dignity" of Palestinians, he said, adding that the US will continue to support access to healthcare for all. 

Biden began his speech at the hospital on Friday with: Before I begin, I'd like to remind you of the expression 'Hope springs eternal.' When I was a US senator, my colleagues used to joke with me that I was quoting Irish poets. They thought I did it because I was Irish. I did it because they are the best poets of the world," he said.

He then quoted a line from The Cure of Troy Seamus Heaney:

The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.

"It is my prayer that we are reaching one of those moments where hope and history rhyme." 

He paid special tribute to the nurses. 

"Your historical visit to east Jerusalem shows support for the Palestinian people," said the head of the Augusta Victoria hospital Dr. Fadi Atrash as he greeted US President Joe Biden at the east Jerusalem hospital. 

"We are like the Americans. They have an American dream, and we have ours. For that, we need support, justice and freedom. Thank you for your support." 

The trip to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is scheduled for Friday afternoon. Upon arrival, Biden will meet with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud at the Al Salam Royal Palace. 

Biden and his team will join Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Saudi Ministers for a working session.

The following day, Biden will attend a Gulf Cooperation Council  + 3 summit meeting and participate in a working lunch. This will be followed by a family photo with GCC + 3 leaders.

That Saturday, the President will hold separate bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi of Iraq. President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi of Egypt. and Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

On Friday, US President Joe Biden will close out his visit to Israel on his third day by visiting Augusta Victoria hospital in east Jerusalem at around 10:30 a.m. and will proceed to visit Bethlehem about an hour later to meet with Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas at the Muqata’a Presidential Compound.

Around 1 p.m., Biden and Abbas are expected to deliver a joint address. 

He will then visit the Church of the Nativity. 

A protest for Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is planned for Biden's east Jerusalem visit.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid will take part in a small farewell ceremony for Biden as he departs for Saudi Arabia to discuss regional issues, including oil. 

Overnight, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation announced that it had decided to allow "all air carriers that meet the requirements of the authority" to fly in the Kingdom's airspace, a decision that will allow Israeli airlines to fly over the entire country.

Biden's flight from Tel Aviv to Jeddah is scheduled for around 3:30 p.m.