With an outstretched corona fist, Joe Biden greeted the heads of state and government gathered on the red carpet as he stepped off Air Force One at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday afternoon.

It is the American politician's tenth visit to Israel, but his first as President.

Upon arrival, Biden said he saw the relationship between Israel and the United States as "deeper and stronger than ever."

Christian Meier

Political correspondent for the Middle East and Northeast Africa.

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Biden reaffirmed the United States' unwavering commitment to Israel's security, which includes partnership in the military arena.

Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the US President said that in his eyes a two-state solution remains "the best way" to ensure a future in which Israelis and Palestinians alike enjoy freedom, prosperity and democracy.

Even if this is not up for debate in the short term.

Israel's Prime Minister Jair Lapid welcomed Biden, saying he was "a Zionist and one of the best friends Israel has ever known."

Earlier, Biden had repeated his well-known saying that you don't have to be a Jew to be a Zionist.

The 79-year-old President has taken his time: He will stay until Friday noon, the program includes meetings and talks with Israeli politicians, but also a visit to Palestinian East Jerusalem and a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem.

Biden then travels to Saudi Arabia directly from Israel.

In an article for the Washington Post newspaper, he wrote a few days ago that the direct flight to Jeddah was "a small symbol of the burgeoning relations and steps towards normalization between Israel and the Arab world, which my government is working to deepen and expand." “.

In his welcome address, Lapid also said that he would discuss national security issues with Biden, but also “the construction of a new security and economic architecture with the nations of the Middle East”.

While Biden named the pursuit of regional integration and security, including Israel, as the main reason for his trip, observers say that he is specifically concerned with convincing Saudi Arabia to expand its oil production.

In view of the war in Ukraine and the rise in raw material prices, the President had to give up his critical attitude towards Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman.

In addition, Biden wants to demonstrate that the United States will not withdraw entirely from the region.

In Jeddah, the American will attend a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Saturday, expanded to include Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

"Hate is never conquered, it only hides"

On Wednesday afternoon, however, the President first received an insight into the achievements of Israeli military technology.

Secretary of Defense Benny Gantz presented the guest with components of the "Iron Dome" missile defense system, which is also being financed with American funds, as well as the new "Iron Beam" laser defense system that Israel has been working on for a while.

Gantz concluded by saying that Israel is confident that Biden will continue to take action to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The American President then visited Yad Vashem.

He wrote in the guest book of the Holocaust memorial with the words that one should never, ever forget - "because hate is never conquered, it only hides".

Future generations must also be taught this.

After rekindling the eternal flame and laying a wreath in Yad Vashem's "Hall of Remembrance," Biden met with two Holocaust survivors, Rena Quint and Giselle Cycowicz.

He had a long chat with the two 86 and 95-year-old women and hugged them.

They then reported that the President was interested.

"It was very exciting," said Cycowicz.

"He's the most powerful man in the world.

That someone like that is so friendly and open.

He's so important and he treated me like his equal.” One of the women ended up asking Biden to remember her name, and he promised he would.