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Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Biden to avoid handshaking MBS during West Asia trip

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 14 Jul 2022 11:55
3 Min Read

Biden's visit to West Asia is one of the roughest patches during his administration, so much so that he used COVID-19 to try and avoid further tarnishing his image by shaking hands with MBS.

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  • US President Joe Biden arrives at Ben Gurion Airport in Al-Lydd, occupied Palestine, on July 13, 2022
    US President Joe Biden arrives at Ben Gurion Airport in Al-Lydd, occupied Palestine, on July 13, 2022

US President Joe Biden is set to avoid shaking hands during his tour in West Asia, White House officials said, noting that the decision taken by the US leader to limit his handshakes comes over medical advice he received from his doctor amid a rise in COVID-19 cases.

"We're in a phase of the pandemic right now where we're looking to increase masking, reduce contact to minimize spread. That's the approach we're taking," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday. However, he did note that each individual interaction Biden has could go differently.

Many are saying that the statements coming from the United States are just paving the way for Biden to avoid taking a photo shaking hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman upon landing in Saudi Arabia in a bid to try and salvage whatever is left of his narrative of making the Kingdom "the pariah that they are."

Check this: Saudi Arabia is no longer a "pariah” for the US

After offering remarks on the tarmac and bumping fists with Israeli occupation Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Biden was seen shaking hands with former Israeli Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Benjamin Netanyahu.

Biden's PR team must have spent some time brainstorming the act, as they know that the most damaging that could come out of the visit would be that of Biden putting his hand in MBS', especially after the US intelligence community found him to be the one who pulled the strings that murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced some trouble trying to swat off questions from the press about why Biden, otherwise a handshake-happy President, would keep his hand adhered to his side during his West Asia swing.

"We always, on these trips, take precautions," she said despite Biden warmingly shaking hands with world leaders at the NATO summit in Madrid, Spain.

However Biden chooses to react to Mohammed bin Salman's outstretched hand in Jeddah will be his choice, but rejecting his handshake offer may prove to be expensive for Washington, especially as this tour will see the US leader try and mend ties with Saudi Arabia to persuade Riyadh and other Gulf allies to pump out more oil in the markets as the Biden administration faces mounting criticism over the soaring oil prices.

Biden arrived at Al-Lydd's Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday, where he was received by high-ranking Israeli officials on his first official visit to occupied Palestine as President. He is scheduled to meet with Lapid and other senior Israeli officials on Thursday.

Biden will spend two days in occupied Al-Quds for talks with Israeli officials and then head to the occupied West Bank to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday. He will then pack his bags and head to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Read next: US, 'Israel' to commit to prevent Iran access to nukes: Official

  • United States
  • Occupied Palestine
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Mohammed Bin Salman
  • Al-Lydd
  • Oil prices
  • Joe Biden
  • Saudi Arabia

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