2023-09-21 14:38:29
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – During their meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joked about “Irish whiskey” and normalization efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Biden stressed the importance of “achieving more stability and prosperity in the Middle East region,” and said: “This began to be achieved over time through historic initiatives that began in the mandates of previous administrations. These initiatives include the economic corridor between India, the Middle East and Europe, which I consider very promising.” Following the G20 meeting in India, a corridor that will connect India to Europe through the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.”
The American President added, during the meeting with Netanyahu, on Wednesday evening: “I think this is a great thing. We are working on a lot of other things together.”
Biden saw that there were optimistic developments, and said: “I think we have a chance… I suffer from Irish optimism,” referring to the American president’s Irish origins.
Biden added jokingly: “If you and I had been talking 10 years ago about normalizing relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, one of us would have looked at each other and asked: Who among us was having a drink? But we…”
Netanyahu interrupted him, laughing: “Good Irish whiskey,” and Biden responded, saying: “Good Irish whiskey. That’s why I’ve never had a glass.”
Netanyahu told Biden: “I believe that under your leadership we can achieve a historic peace between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I believe that this peace will go a long way on the path toward ending the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieving reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state, and advancing true peace between Israel and the Palestinians. This is something in Within our reach.”
The Israeli Prime Minister added: “I believe that we can make history by working together and create a better future for the region and beyond. We can also confront the forces that threaten that future, and by that I mean Iran.”
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