Biden-Netanyahu relationship 'cannot be judged,' US' Kirby says

Kirby said the strength of Biden and Netanyahu's relationship can't be judged by the number of times they speak on the phone and he wouldn't read into the dates on the calendar.

John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, answers questions during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, US, February 17, 2023. (photo credit: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN)
John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, answers questions during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, US, February 17, 2023.
(photo credit: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN)

NEW YORK – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden will “talk again” despite the longest gap in their direct communication since December 23, according to John F. Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council.

Kirby said the strength of Biden and Netanyahu’s relationship can’t be judged by the amount of times they speak on the phone and he wouldn’t read into the dates on the calendar.

 Benjamin Netanyahu and Joe Biden (credit: REUTERS)
Benjamin Netanyahu and Joe Biden (credit: REUTERS)

Kirby: these are two men who have known each other a long time

“That doesn’t say anything about the relationship between the prime minister and the president or between the United States and Israel. These are two men that know each other, have known each other a long time,” Kirby said.

“Of course, they don’t agree on every single issue, and we’re working through issues right now with respect to the fighting in Gaza, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t still have an open mind to one another. And when either of them feels like they need to pick up the phone and call, that will happen,” Kirby said.

“I have no doubt in my mind they’re going to talk again,” he said.