In Biden meeting, Rivlin clears way for Bennett visit to White House

Reuven Rivlin and Joe Biden have known each other for 50 years. They first met in Jerusalem in 1971 when Rivlin served as deputy to the city’s legendary Mayor Teddy Kollek and Biden was a local Delaware politician planning a Senate run the following year. Rivlin took Biden on a wide-ranging tour of Jerusalem and apparently imbued him with some of his endless love for the city in which he was born. They have been friends since. They are contemporaries. Rivlin took part in the realization of the Zionist vision as Biden looked on in admiration. Biden made his famous remark about not having to be Jewish to be a Zionist in one of his meetings with Rivlin.

The friendship came full circle this week with the two presidents meeting at the White House. Biden, who took office this year, seems to offer an antidote to the chaos wrought by former President Donald Trump. Rivlin, who leaves office July 9, came to pave the way for a White House visit by Israel’s new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who replaced former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and seeks to establish calmer governance. According to meeting participants, Rivlin achieved his goal.

The Oval Office meeting was scheduled for 60 minutes, but spilled over into almost two hours. Biden’s secretary walked into the room three times and placed a note in front him alerting that he was running late. Biden, who clearly felt greatly at ease with his guest, read Rivlin the notes and both laughed. They reminisced and traded experiences, but did not steer clear of controversy.

The Israeli president is largely a ceremonial figure as head of state. Nonetheless, Rivlin was clearly on a diplomatic mission. He met prior to his departure for Washington with Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid. At the White House, he explained to Biden the new government’s need for his administration’s support and understanding.