The leaders discussed regional issues at length, first among them Iran and the nuclear agreement. PM Lapid emphasized his opposition to returning to the nuclear agreement and the need to intensify the pressure on Iran so that it will return to the negotiating table.
Prime Minister Yair Lapid and US President Joe Biden held a bilateral working meeting today (Thursday, 14 July 2022), with the participation of both countries' teams.
Prime Minister Lapid and US President Biden praised the warm and unbreakable ties between Israel and the US.
Prime Minister Lapid, President Biden and their teams discussed regional issues at length, first among them Iran and the nuclear agreement. The Prime Minister thanked the President for his decision not to remove the Revolutionary Guards from the list of terrorist organizations.
Prime Minister Lapid also emphasized his opposition to returning to the nuclear agreement (JCPOA) and the need to intensify the pressure on Iran so that it will return to the negotiating table to discuss an alternative agreement.
The two leaders also stressed the importance of the Negev Forum as well as the need to advance cooperation in the framework of the regional architecture and the aspiration to expand the circle of normalization.
Prime Minister Lapid and President Biden exchanged views on the Palestinian issue. The Prime Minister presented Israel's actions to improve the Palestinians' fabric of life in various areas.
The two leaders praised the two joint declarations between their countries, first and foremost the Jerusalem Declaration that will be signed today, and the joint declaration on strategic cooperation in advanced technology.
They also praised the planned meeting of the I2U2 Forum leaders that they will chair today.
The two leaders instructed the professional echelon to complete the visa exemption process forthwith.
Participating on the Israeli side were Chief of Staff Dani Vesely, National Security Council Chairman and National Security Adviser Dr. Eyal Hulata, Cabinet Secretary Shalom Shlomo, Prime Minister's Office Director General Naama Schultz, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General Alon Ushpiz, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Avi Gil, Diplomatic Adviser Yair Zivan, Deputy Head of the National Security Council Avivit Bar-Ilan and Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog.
Participating on the American side were Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and US Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides.
PM Lapid and US President Biden at the bilateral working meeting. Photo: GPO/Kobi Gideon.
