Biden Gives One-Word Answer When Asked If His View of Jerusalem As Israel's Capital Has Changed

(CNSNews.com) – “No” was President Biden’s response to a question from an Israeli television reporter who asked him about two sensitive subjects — Iran and Jerusalem — at a press conference in Jerusalem on Thursday:

“You will visit tomorrow east Jerusalem, and you won’t be accompanied by an Israeli official,” the reporter said. “Does this represent a change in your administration’s view regarding the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel — and if east Jerusalem is part of it?”

“The answer to your last question is no,” Biden said.

The Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of their envisioned future state. But that’s a perennial sticking point: “Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and Israel alone,” then-Foreign Minister Yair Lapid — now the prime minister — declared earlier this year, one of many such declarations from Israeli officials over the years.

In his opening remarks at today’s press conference, President Biden addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying work continues to achieve “a lasting, negotiated peace between the state of Israel and the Palestinian people.”

“Israel must remain an independent, democratic Jewish State, the ultimate guarantee and guarantor of security of the Jewish people not only in Israel but the entire world. I believe that to my core, and the best way to achieve that remains a two-state solution for two people, both of whom have deep and ancient roots in this land, living side-by-side in peace and security. Both states fully respecting the equal rights of their citizens, both people enjoying equal measures of freedom.

“And any more that takes us further from that outcome, I believe — anything — is detrimental to the long-term security of Israel.”

Biden also voiced “an ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security. “We will make sure that Israel can defend itself by itself,” he said, noting U.S. support for Israel’s defensive weapons systems.

Biden noted that he and Israeli Prime Minister Lapid had also discussed “America’s commitment to ensuring Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.”

“This is a vital security to Israel and the United States, and I would add for the rest of the world as well,” Biden said.

“I continue to believe that diplomacy is the best way to achieve this outcome, and we will continue to work with Israel to counter other threats from Iran throughout the region, including support for terrorism, ballistic missile program that continues and the proliferation of weapons to terrorists and proxies like Hezbollah.”

Biden took a few questions on Iran, including one on whether he will “set a deadline” for reaching a nuclear deal or for walking away from the negotiating table:

He said his administration “has laid out for the leadership of Iran what we’re willing to accept in order to get back into the JCPOA. We’re waiting for their response. When that will come, I’m not certain, but we are not going to wait forever.”

A short time later, he told another reporter that Iran has “an opportunity to accept this agreement that’s been laid down. If they don’t, we made it absolutely clear we will not — let me say it again — we will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.”

Immediately before the news conference, Biden and Lapid signed a joint declaration saying that Iran will never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. It commits the two countries to “use all elements of national power” to make sure such a thing never happens.

Also See:
US, Israel to Commit to ‘Use All Elements of National Power’ to Prevent a Nuclear-Armed Iran
 

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