During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden playfully claimed he first encountered Golda Meir when he was only 12 years old. However, historical records and Biden's own previous statements indicate that this recollection is inaccurate.
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Biden made a humorous remark, suggesting that his acquaintance with Israeli leaders extended back to his childhood. "Mr. President, we've known each other for 40 years. And you've known every Israeli prime minister for 50 years from Golda Meir," Netanyahu said at the start of the meeting, paying tribute to Biden's extensive history with Israeli leaders.
Biden Jokes About Meeting Golda Meir at Age 12, a Fictitious Tale
Biden responded, "I look forward to as well. By the way, that first meeting with Prime Minister Golda Meir, she had an assistant sitting next to me, a guy named Rabin. That's how far back it goes. I was only 12 then. Anyway, thank you all for being here."
The president was referring to Yitzhak Rabin, who served as prime minister of Israel from 1974-1977 and again from 1992 until his assassination in 1995. However, historical accounts and Biden's own prior statements indicate that this recollection is inaccurate.
Biden Jokes About Meeting Golda Meir at Age 12, a Fictitious Tale
In reality, Biden first met Golda Meir and Rabin in 1973 when he was a 30-year-old senator. This encounter occurred during the Yom Kippur War, and Biden has frequently recounted the experience. In 2021, during a menorah lighting ceremony, Biden stated, "I have known every, every prime minister well since Golda Meir, including Golda Meir. And during the Six-Day War, I had an opportunity to, she invited me to come over because I was going to be the liaison between she and the Egyptians about the Suez."
However, this claim is also inaccurate, as Biden was still in law school during the Six-Day War in 1967.
Biden Jokes About Meeting Golda Meir at Age 12, a Fictitious Tale
Biden's team confirmed to Fox News Digital on Thursday that the president was joking about his age when he made the remark about meeting Golda Meir at age 12.
Despite the humorous nature of Biden's statement, the meeting with Netanyahu was significant, as it provided an opportunity for discussions on various issues, including a potential ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. However, both leaders declined to answer reporters' questions about the possibility of a ceasefire or the ongoing anti-Israel protests in the wake of Netanyahu's address to Congress.
Biden Jokes About Meeting Golda Meir at Age 12, a Fictitious Tale
Netanyahu's address to Congress had drawn criticism from some quarters, with protesters expressing support for Palestine and waving Hamas flags. Netanyahu denounced the demonstrators as "Iran's useful idiots" during his speech, referencing Iran's support for Hamas.
The Biden administration has indicated plans to explore the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza as the conflict continues.
