The Takeaway: If the phone doesn’t ring: Biden, Bibi still haven’t talked
Iran and March 23 elections are top of mind for Israeli prime minister; can the US and Iran find common ground in Yemen?; Egypt’s diplomatic surge hopes to catch Biden’s eye; why did Rouhani mention UNSCR 598?
Israel: Why it matters that Netanyahu and Biden haven’t talked
As we go to press, US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu haven’t had a conversation since Biden took office on Jan. 20.
That’s unusual. Biden has spoken to heads of government and state from the following countries: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Japan, Australia and India.
No worries, says Blinken. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken downplayed that gap, noting that they spoke during the transition and expect to connect soon. Blinken added that he and other senior members of the Biden administration are in touch with their Israeli counterparts.
Blinken also said this week that the Biden administration accepts the Donald Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. In Congress, there is an amendment to the COVID relief bill to make that permanent.
