Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met today in Jerusalem with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and other senior US officials on a three-day visit to the region. Addressing the press ahead of the beginning of the encounter, Bennett said, “These days are pretty important. What happens in Vienna has profound ramifications for the stability of the Middle East and the security of Israel for the upcoming years. And that’s why it’s such a timely meeting.”

The meeting between Bennett and Sullivan took place on the backdrop of publications claiming that President Joe Biden has been ignoring requests by the Israeli premier for a phone call. Publications argued that tensions have grown lately between Washington and Jerusalem over the issue of West Bank settlements and also over divergences on the Vienna talks. According to some Israeli sources, the White House is adamant to reach a new agreement with Iran and is less inclined to follow pressure from Jerusalem to reinstate and increase sanctions against Tehran.

Appearing to downplay these rumors about a crisis between Washington and Jerusalem, Bennett noted, “I want to say that the relationship between my government and the Biden administration, between Israel and the United States, is as strong as ever. And being so strong and having this meaningful friendship means that we can also talk openly and candidly about all the shared challenges that we’re facing. And that’s what we’re going to do.”

Sullivan said before the meeting that Biden sent him to Israel to coordinate and cooperate US and Israeli approaches to Iran and other security issues, stating that “at a critical juncture for both of our countries on a major set of security issues, it’s important that we sit together and develop a common strategy, a common outlook, and find a way forward that fundamentally secures your country’s interests and mine. And we believe those interests, like the values upon which our countries are built, are deeply shared and deeply felt.”