WASHINGTON - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Joe Biden at the White House Thursday amid protests at nearby Lafayette Square.
Netanyahu visited the White House one day after his address after he addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday where he defended Israel and pledged victory over Hamas.
During his address, Netanyahu slammed protesters who massed near the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, calling them Iran’s "useful idiots."
READ MORE: Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress: 'America and Israel must stand together...we will win'
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His visit comes amid calls for a cease-fire to end the war and free the remaining hostages. Following their midday talk, Biden and Netanyahu will meet the families of American hostages.
Likely Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris will meet separately with Netanyahu later.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he would meet with Netanyahu on Friday.
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers boycotted Netanyahu’s address and thousands of protesters demonstrated outside the Capitol condemning the war and the humanitarian crisis created by it.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.