Biden invites Israel's Netanyahu to US after lengthy delay: White House

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After a lengthy delay, U.S. President Joe Biden invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the U.S. for an official visit later this year, the White House said on Monday. Biden extended the invitation during a phone call between the two leaders, a day ahead of a visit to Washington by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Netanyahu returned to power more than six months ago, but Biden had pointedly declined to issue an invitation until long after most Israeli prime ministers would have made the visit. Reports said Biden had held off extending the invitation out of concern about a judicial overhaul undertaken by Netanyahu and his right-wing government, as well as Israel's expansion of settlements on the occupied West Bank.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said at a Monday press briefing that Biden reiterated “the need for the broadest possible consensus” and “shared democratic values” in the face of the current debate about judicial reform in Israel.

Kirby said that Biden and Netanyahu also discussed efforts to counter Iran's nuclear program, and that Biden stressed the need to pursue a two-state solution to the conflict with Palestinians and to boost security on the West Bank.