President Biden’s Travel to Israel and Saudi Arabia – 4 Days in July (2022)

United States President Joe Biden’s mirror tells him that he will succeed in getting Gulf states to increase oil production while lowering costs, brokering a deal to transfer the sovereignty of strategic geography from Egypt to Saudi Arabia, alleviating regional anxiety about Iran, appeasing Israeli concern about his record of antisemitism, and wooing the Palestinian Authority. 

Moses led the Jews out of Egypt. Exodus in Hebrew Bible Scripture chronicles the escape. The Red Sea parted for safe crossing. Scholars believe that this miracle happened in the Strait of Tiran between the Gulf of Aqaba, the Sinai, and the Arabian Peninsula. 

The Strait of Tiran was placed under Egyptian control in the 1948 Rhodes Agreement. Saudi Arabia asserted a claim to the Strait of Tiran in 1989, which remains disputed. Behind the scenes, Biden is attempting to broker a deal that would transfer sovereignty of islands in the Strait of Tiran from Egypt to Saudi Arabia. Biden’s efforts may be an attempt to appease the Saudis. His insults to the Kingdom and to the Royal Crown have left the previously warm relationship between the nations colder than a witch’s heart.

Egyptian President Abdul Nasser blocked the Strait as part of the 1967 Arab blockade. Israel has shipping ports in the Gulf of Aqaba. Golda Meir, who later became Prime Minister, proclaimed at the United Nations that closure of the Strait would be considered an act of war.  Israel was victorious in the Six Day War which ensued. Israel was guaranteed rights to navigate through the Strait by the 1973 Camp David Accords.

Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz confirms that Iran is building up a significant military presence in the Red Sea, with warships. This puts Iran in a position to launch ballistic missiles and assassin drones at Israel and at Saudi Arabia. 

The Saudi King and the Crown Prince have not returned President Biden’s calls since his name-calling and accusations regarding the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Biden, the King, and the Crown Prince will be in the same room for one event which will include Biden, leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq. Biden will ask the Gulf states to increase oil production and to lower prices. Biden and the Crown Prince are not expected to speak.

Iran’s military threat and potential for nuclear weapons were discussed last month by Kings, Emirs, and Presidents of Gulf Countries. They met in each other's countries. It is anticipated that a Middle Eastern NATO-like alliance will be formed to include the Gulf Kingdoms and Israel.  

Focusing on the Abraham Accords, a briefing was given in March by United States Marine Corps General, Kenneth McKenzie Jr.  Accords brought Israel into US Central Command operations. He maintained that Iranian ballistic missile threats are something that everyone in the Gulf states understands, and is an opportunity to advance regional cooperation.

At the Knesset Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced that by way of the Abraham Accords a United States-sponsored Middle East Air Defense (MEAD) was formed between Israel and some Arab States. MEAD has successfully intercepted Iranian attacks in the region. The United States and Israel held a missile defense Negev summit in March; UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, and Egypt attended. MEAD’s ambition is to include Israel, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan as axis partners. 

Arab media and press understand Iran’s existential threat. However, some push to prevent Israel from being part of a military alliance. A typical headline might read “Israel is a criminal enemy of the Arabs; An Arab Alliance with Israel is inconceivable.” Extreme hostility toward Israel remains in some sectors. 

Israel is President Biden’s first stop on the Middle East visit. Biden plans to reset relations with the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and to visit Palestinian Authority institutions. Ambassador Danny Danon wrote that Biden’s visit to Palestinian Authority Institutions in Eastern Jerusalem is unprecedented. In violation of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and the Oslo Accords, Biden pledged to open an American Consulate in Palestinian East Jerusalem.

Isaac Herzog is serving as President until the October elections. He intends to award President Biden the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor. Mort Klein, President of the Zionist Organization of America, writes pages of explanations why Biden does not deserve the award. A few of Klein’s reasons include that Biden condemns Jews for building homes in the lawful Jewish homeland of Jerusalem, has policies that undermine Israel’s sovereignty, praises antisemites in Congress and mainstream Jew-haters who oppose Israel’s existence, promotes the creation of a Palestinian Arab state, has negotiations with Iran to provide a pathway to their nuclear bomb, and many more issues.   

If it is concerning to learn that President Biden will receive the Israeli Medal of Honor, be prepared to discover that he is being considered for the Nobel Peace Prize.