Biden Promises 'Total' US Commitment to Israel's Security

Biden reassured Mr. Netanyahu, who is known to his friends as "Bibi," that bonds remain strong.

"A cornerstone of the relationship is our absolute total, unvarnished commitment to Israel's security," Biden said. "Bibi, you heard me say before: progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel. There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel's security."

The U.S. vice president is due to travel to the West Bank town of Ramallah to meet Wednesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.