Biden to host Israeli president at White House next week

President Joe Biden will host Israeli President Isaac Herzog for an official visit next week, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said during a briefing Monday.

"President Biden looks forward to welcoming President Herzog of Israel to the White House on October 26, a visit that underscores the enduring partnership and friendship between the United States and Israel,” Jean-Pierre said. “They will consult on key issues including regional and global challenges of mutual concern, opportunities to deepen Israel's regional integration and ways to advance equal measures of freedom, posterity and security for both Israelis and Palestinians."

The trip comes less than a week before Israel’s Nov. 1 elections, and on the heels of the country’s historic agreement with neighboring Lebanon over maritime borders.

The visit will be Herzog’s first official trip to Washington since he assumed office in 2021. Biden and Herzog last met in July in Jerusalem where they discussed “the United States’ ironclad support for Israel’s security, their commitment to working together to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities, and efforts to promote regional integration to widen the circle of peace,” according to the White House.

Herzog’s trip will run from Oct. 25-26, during which time he will meet with "a range of inter-agency officials," Jean-Pierre said Monday.