Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu meet at White House for historic talks: Joe, Bibi ignore barrage of questions as they discuss Gaza ceasefire

President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Thursday amid mounting pressure to broker a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East.

They shook hands and took their seats, exchanging pleasantries in the Oval Office. They answered several questions from reporters.

The two leaders meet amid mounting pressure to end the nine-month war in the Middle East that has left more than 39,000 dead in Gaza. Dozens of Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity.

The administration believes the deal is “in the final stages and it’s reaching a point where we think the deal can be closed. It’s time to close the deal,” a senior administration official told reporters on Wednesday.

“We are closer than ever,” the official noted. “It’s up to the Israelis to accept it.”

Biden is trying to end the war before his term ends. If he does so before the November election, it could be a boost for Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he supported as the Democratic nominee.

Harris will have a separate meeting with Netanyahu later on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the prime minister is walking his own delicate balancing act between Israelis who want him to end the war and get their loved ones back and the far-right members of his governing coalition who demand that he oppose any deal that would prevent Israeli forces from taking out Hamas.

This is the first time the two have met in person since Biden visited Israel shortly after the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack.

The White House prepared for the visit by setting up concrete blocks and anti-climb fencing to keep out protesters. As Netanyahu spoke on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, protesters clashed with U.S. Capitol Police, who had set up barricades around the Capitol.

They also painted graffiti along Union Station, which is a few blocks from the Capitol. They tore down the American flag to let the Palestinian flag fly.

Biden and Netanyahu have a tense relationship, as the president has repeatedly warned him about civilian casualties in Gaza. In addition, many progressives are outraged by Israel’s conduct during the war. Several Democratic lawmakers skipped Netanyahu’s speech at the Capitol on Wednesday in protest.

In his remarks, Netanyahu attacked pro-Palestinian protesters in the US, calling them “Iran’s useful idiots.”

“Some of these protesters are holding up signs that say ‘Gays for Gaza,'” he said. “They might as well be holding up signs that say ‘Chickens for KFC.’ These protesters are chanting ‘From the river to the sea,’ but many have no idea which river and which sea they are talking about.”

Workers install additional security fencing around the White House in preparation for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit

Secret Service members stand guard as employees install additional security fencing around the White House

It was Netanyahu’s first visit to the White House since Donald Trump became president. The Israeli prime minister plans to meet Trump on Friday at the former president’s Mar-a-Lago home.

It is Biden’s first meeting with a foreign leader since announcing he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race.

After their meeting in the Oval Office, the two leaders will meet with the families of American hostages in Gaza.

In his speech to Congress, Netanyahu fiercely defended Israel’s actions during the war and criticized the International Criminal Court’s allegations of Israeli war crimes.

He thanked President Biden for his support and also highlighted everything Trump has done for Israel.

“As we defend ourselves on all fronts, I know that America stands with us and I thank you for that – all sides of the political spectrum,” Netanyahu said.

Harris missed Netanyahu’s speech because of a previously scheduled event in Indianapolis. Normally, the vice president leads joint speeches.