Biden meets with Israel’s Herzog on Middle East conflict, humanitarian aid to Gaza

President Biden met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House Tuesday, as the two leaders address the conflict with Lebanon, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the hostages still being held by Hamas. 

The meeting, which Herzog called “very productive,” lasted about an hour. Herzog told reporters afterward that the Biden administration is committed to doing all it can to help Israel’s security ahead ahead of Jan. 20, when Mr. Biden’s presidency ends. 

“President Biden was very gracious, very open, very friendly, and we had an open and frank discussion,” Herzog told reporters. “And the most important thing out of this discussion is, of course, the commitment of President Biden and the administration to work until Jan. 20, until the last minute, to achieve goals that are so important to peace and stability, and predominantly, security and security of the state of Israel in the Middle East.”

In the Oval Office, Herzog brought Mr. Biden a gift, an artifact from the foot of Temple Mount in Jerusalem. 

Herzog lamented the death of two Israelis who were killed in the Israeli city of Nahariya by rockets fired from Lebanon and described Iran as an “evil empire.” 

“First and foremost we have to get the hostages back,” Herzog said. 

Israel’s government must meet a deadline Wednesday to boost aid to Gaza or face consequences. In October, the Biden administration warned Israel it must significantly increase the amount of aid reaching Gaza’s population, or it would face restrictions on U.S. military support. 

The Biden administration is hoping to further peace goals before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he’s spoken three times with Trump in the last week. 

On Tuesday afternoon, Trump announced he’s selected former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel.

“Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years,” Trump said in a statement. “He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”