Israel and US will reaffirm strategic partnership during Biden's visit to Middle East
Although Joe Biden has not yet landed in Tel Aviv, some of his plans during his stay in Israel are already known. As reported by several Israeli media, the US president is expected to sign an agreement with the government headed by Yair Lapid. "The Jerusalem Declaration on the US-Israel Strategic Partnership is a historic statement that shows the unique nature of what we have between our countries," a senior Israeli official told The Times of Israel.
The agreement addresses cooperation between the two countries in the coming years, but also presents a common stance against Iran's nuclear programme. In the statement, Israel and the US pledge to use "all elements of national power" to prevent the Tehran regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon, according to the Israeli newspaper.
The Israeli source also stresses that Jerusalem is "grateful" and appreciative of "the approach Washington has taken in recent months", referring to the Biden administration's decision not to remove Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps from the US list of foreign terrorist groups, despite Tehran's demands during the nuclear deal negotiations.
Separately, The Jerusalem Post reports that, through the deal, Biden will reaffirm his commitment to Israel's security by upholding the Memorandum of Understanding reached by the two countries in 2016 under which Israel will receive $38 billion in military assistance over 10 years.
This agreement will be "a testament to the unique quality, depth and scope of the US-Israel relationship," a diplomat tells the newspaper. "It expresses the deep commitment of both sides, specifically the US commitment to Israel's security, prosperity and well-being," he adds.
In addition to the bilateral partnership between Washington and Jerusalem, the text points to cooperation between Israel and Arab countries in the region, a point where the US plays a key role. Washington "is very committed to working with Israel and our partners to transform the region," says the diplomatic source.
The Israeli daily also notes that Iran will be one of the main issues to be discussed during Biden's visit to Israel. "Iran continues to mislead the international community," an Israeli official told the newspaper. "Reports published in recent weeks and even yesterday prove it," he adds, alluding to Jake Sullivan's statements about Iran's alleged plans to provide drones to Russia.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, will also play a key role on Biden's agenda during his time in Israel. The US administration is seeking to foster a rapprochement between Riyadh and Jerusalem, which Saudi officials say 'would bring benefits to the region'.
For the time being, Israel already has relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco. The Abraham Accords have enabled cooperation in different sectors such as technology, trade and economics. This partnership also extends to other areas, such as defence. Shortly before Biden's arrival in the region, Israel offered to provide air defence assistance to the United Arab Emirates due to the attacks the country has suffered from the Houthis in Yemen, according to The Wall Street Journal.
In this regard, the US newspaper also notes that Israel has agreed to sell drones and anti-drone systems to Bahrain. Citing a senior Bahraini official, WSJ claims that Israeli intelligence agencies such as Mossad have been working in Manama for the past few months to train their intelligence officers.
In this way, Israel hopes to lay the groundwork for a military alliance in the Middle East to counter Iran. Defence Minister Benny Gantz announced earlier this week that he would brief Biden on the progress of this regional coalition, which is reported to include the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The union, dubbed by Gantz as "MEAD" (Middle East Air Defence), aims to combat Iranian missile attacks in the region.
Tehran, for its part, has already spoken out about this Israeli-led and US-backed initiative. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, an air defence pact between Israel and its regional Arab partners would only increase current tensions. It has also stressed, referring to Washington, that 'the entry of foreigners into the region is the main cause of regional tension and disruption'.
Israel is preparing for the US president's imminent arrival in the country. Due to Iranian threats, security will be paramount during Biden's welcoming ceremony.
The army has deployed a number of sophisticated air defence systems at Ben Gurion airport, including the Light Shield, which uses powerful lasers to intercept rocket-propelled grenades, drones and projectiles. Israel will also showcase Arrow-3, a ballistic missile interception system, Arrow-4, David's Slingshot and the Iron Dome, capable of intercepting missiles of various ranges, cruise missiles and drones.
Aside from airport security, more than 16,000 police will be mobilised during Biden's visit to Israel, while the highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem will be closed in both directions.
Americas Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra