Joe Biden will visit Israel this week

U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, as the White House grapples with a series of complex security and political challenges in the Middle East.

The invitation extended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presents an opportunity for Biden to showcase unwavering American support for Israel, a close ally.

However, this move could carry significant risks and complications.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has now confirmed the visit will take place.

After a marathon meeting of the Israeli war cabinet which lasted into the early hours of Tuesday morning, Blinken confirmed the news about the Biden visit.

The visit could grant President Biden newfound leverage in influencing events on the ground and enhance his domestic image.

Biden and Netanyahu, often seen as uncomfortable allies, have come together despite differences on the Middle East’s future.

Red lines

The meeting would allow them to privately discuss concerns and establish red lines, particularly concerning a possible Israeli ground invasion of Gaza.

The security risks surrounding such a trip were underscored by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent experience. During his meetings in Israel, he had to take shelter in a bunker with Netanyahu when sirens signaled missile threats in Tel Aviv. The armed wing of Hamas had fired a barrage of missiles, including towards Ben Gurion Airport.

This visit would involve intricate logistics, unlike Biden’s earlier visit to Ukraine, which had more lead time. Other Western leaders and members of Congress are also planning visits to Israel this week. Presidential visits are typically meticulously choreographed, but the unpredictability of war makes such planning challenging.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 78% of Americans support U.S. diplomatic efforts to help Gaza residents find safe havens amid the ongoing conflict, demonstrating widespread concern for humanitarian issues. However, 41% of respondents believe the U.S. should support Israel in its conflict with Hamas, while only 2% favor supporting the Palestinians.

President Biden faces the delicate task of balancing support for Israel’s response to Hamas attacks with expressing humanitarian concerns for Palestinians affected by the conflict. Analysts suggest that Biden’s deep-rooted belief in the importance of personal connections may drive his decision to engage directly in the region’s crises.

Biden could potentially combine his visit with a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, as he did during his previous visit to Israel last year. However, the White House must navigate these sensitive matters carefully.