Jake Sullivan speaks for the first time with Israel’s National Security Adviser
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke by phone Saturday with his Israeli counterpart, Meir Ben Shabat, Israeli officials told Axios.
why does it matter: This is the first contact between the White House in Biden and the Israeli prime minister’s office. During the transition period, the Biden team refrained from speaking to foreign governments.
News Lead: Israeli officials said the call was primarily aimed at an introduction and the start of the dialogue.
- One of the issues discussed was Iran.
- National Security Advisors also covered the Abraham Accords – the biblical mark the administration gave to the individual normalization agreements between Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
- In recent days, Sullivan has contacted his counterparts in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea.
- The White House has not commented on the call with the Israeli National Security Adviser.
The Big Picture: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is worried The stated goal of President Biden By trying to resume the nuclear deal with Iran. Such a move could lead to tensions between the Biden administration and the Israeli government.
- Foreign Minister-designate Tony Blinken said at this week’s hearing that “there is a long way” until the Iran deal can be resumed.
- He stressed that the United States would consult with Israel and the Gulf states before taking any decision