Following his first overseas engagements as US President, Joe Biden is set to host more of his counterparts from other countries at the White House as well. The White House announced that Biden would be meeting with outgoing Israeli President Reuven Rivlin this month.
Over the weekend, the White House announced that Biden would be hosting Rivlin at the White House on June 28. Rivlin’s visit comes as he is set to leave office in July, marking the end of his seven-year term in office. Isaac Herzog will be succeeding him in the post, also ending the term of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“President Rivlin’s visit will highlight the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel and the deep ties between our governments and our people,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki in a statement. “President Rivlin approaches the end of his term, this visit will honor the dedication he has shown to strengthening the friendship between the two countries over the course of many years.”
The change of Israel’s government also comes as the recent conflicts between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza also escalated to violence among the Jewish majority and Arab minority within Israeli cities. It has also led to some incidents of antisemitic crimes in the US.
In other news, Biden is facing some conflict from the Catholic church in the US for his stance on abortion. Biden, a devout Catholic, was spotted attending church Saturday in his hometown in Delaware a day after the Roman Catholic Bishops in the US challenged him to support abortion rights. With first lady Dr. Jill Biden, the US leader spent time in the Brandywine church in Wilmington and visited the graves of his first wife Nelia Biden, infant daughter Naomi Biden, and his son Beau Biden.
Biden supports the 1973 landmark decision by the Supreme Court affirming a woman’s right to have an abortion. US Bishops drafted a statement last week to possibly deny giving Biden communion during church services. There have been calls to deny the sacrament to other politicians who have shown support for abortion rights.
It is the local bishop’s decision regarding who would be given communion in their diocese.


Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen
U.S. Soybean Shipments to China Gain Momentum as Trade Tensions Ease
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain
Putin Concludes High-Level Talks With Trump Envoy on Ending Ukraine Conflict
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Medicaid Funding Restrictions Targeting Planned Parenthood 



