Agencies-Gaza post
Biden’s journey to Saudi Arabia, and Israel delayed to July
President Joe Biden’s intention to visit Saudi Arabia and Israel later this month has been delayed until July, several officials told NBC News on Friday.
The White House is now preparing a broader trip to the Middle East next month, sources reported.
“We are working on a trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia for a GCC+3 Summit,” a senior administration official told NBC News. “We are working to confirm dates. When we have something to announce, we will.”
An alien diplomat and two U.S. officials said the Saudi stop will no longer take place in late June, and two U.S. officials said the trip to Israel was also being forced back. Both visits had been anticipated to be tacked on to Biden’s previously scheduled trip to Germany and Spain this month.
The reason for the uncertainty wasn’t immediately clear. The foreign diplomat and two officials said they knew of the postponed travel programs on Friday. The U.S. officials added that the dates remained in flux and could change again.
The White House refused to comment on the travel itinerary. The Israeli and Saudi embassies in Washington didn’t directly respond to inquiries late Friday.
Biden’s intention to visit Saudi Arabia came under quick scrutiny given the country’s human rights record and the president’s own past statements about the oil-rich country. On the movement trail, Biden promised to treat as a “pariah” following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The CIA ended in 2018 that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, had ordered Khashoggi’s killing. The crown prince has prohibited any personal involvement in his death.
