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NEW YORK POST
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming meeting with President Joe Biden has been canceled as the president continues to focus on recovering from COVID-19, according to multiple reports.
The Israeli leader was slated to meet with Biden, 81, on Tuesday to discuss the future of the war in Gaza, but officials in Netanyahu’s office said the meeting has been called off, The Times of Israel and other outlets report.
The decision comes after Biden has remained out of the public eye after testing positive for COVID-19 while traveling in Las Vegas last Wednesday.
In an update provided on Monday, Biden’s doctor said the president has taken his 10th dose of Paxlovid and that his “symptoms have almost resolved completely.”
“His pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature remain absolutely normal,” White House physician Kevin Connor wrote in a statement.
“His oxygen saturation continues to be excellent on room air. His lungs remain clear,” he added. “The President continues to perform all of his presidential duties.”
It remains unclear when Biden would be able to meet with Netanyahu during the prime minister’s trip to Washington DC to address Congress.
The White House has said that Biden remains in quarantine in Delaware and will return to the capitol once he’s tested negative for the coronavirus.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, however, a White House source told The Post that the octogenarian commander-in-chief has also canceled nine trips that were scheduled for the next two weeks after suddenly dropping out of the 2024 race.
Netanyahu is still, however, expected to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been tapped as the Democratic Party frontrunner for the fall elections.
It’s unknown if Netanyahu will be able to meet with GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, as Israeli public broadcaster KAN reports that the prime minister’s team has yet to secure a time for the two to speak.
Netanyahu will remain in the US until Friday, with the prime minister set to speak to lawmakers on Wednesday to discuss the war in Gaza.
Before departing Israel on Monday, Netanyahu had expressed his intention to personally thank Biden for his commitment to the Jewish state and his eagerness to work with the president’s successor.
“This will be an opportunity to thank him for the things he did for Israel in the war and during his long and distinguished career in public service, as senator, vice president, and president,” Netanyahu said of Biden before boarding his flight.
“Regardless of who the American people choose as their next president, Israel remains its most indispensable and strongest ally in the Middle East,” he added.