Biden-Israel Prime Minister Meeting Delayed by One Day Due to Kabul Airport Terror Attack

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] A bomb attack occurred at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan, causing the meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to be postponed by one day. Prime Minister Bennett returned to Israel immediately after the meeting and was scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but Chancellor Merkel also canceled her visit to Israel following the terror attack. The two countries plan to discuss the Afghanistan situation, the Iranian nuclear issue, and support for Israel's air defense system, Iron Dome.

According to the Times of Israel on the 26th (local time), President Biden and Prime Minister Bennett were scheduled to hold a summit at the White House, but the meeting was postponed by one day after news of the bomb attack at Kabul Airport was reported just before the meeting. President Biden postponed the meeting and reportedly received a briefing on the Kabul Airport terror situation immediately in the situation room.

Earlier, it was expected that postponing the meeting would be difficult as Prime Minister Bennett was to return to Israel immediately after the summit with President Biden to meet with Chancellor Merkel, whose visit was scheduled. However, the Times of Israel reported that Chancellor Merkel canceled her visit to Israel after being informed of the Kabul Airport terror attack, making the postponement possible.

During this summit, the two leaders are expected to discuss the overall Middle East situation including the Afghanistan crisis, the Iranian nuclear issue, and U.S. support for Israel's Iron Dome air defense system. Israel has reportedly requested the U.S. to expand Iron Dome facilities within Israel and provide missile support due to instability in the Middle East region.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.