Biden Reaffirms Support for Israel but Calls for Protection of Civilians

Mr. Biden, asked about drone strikes against U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Syria in recent days, said that he had warned Iran “that if they continue to move against those troops, we will respond.” And he said that he had not urged Mr. Netanyahu to delay a ground invasion of Gaza to locate and rescue Americans thought to be missing or held hostage by Hamas.

“What I have indicated to him is that if that’s possible to get these folks out safely, that’s what they should do. It’s their decision, but I did not demand it. I pointed out to him, if it’s real, it should be done,” Mr. Biden said of hostages being held by Hamas.

The war overshadowed a state visit in honor of Mr. Albanese that was laden with ceremony and military pomp. In planned remarks, the two made an effort to show that the United States-Australia alliance was about more than just the military might of two countries, and showcased their cooperation on technology and critical minerals.

But given the countries’ close work on the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel, the tumult overseas was a focus of the questions they received in the Rose Garden.

Mr. Albanese came to the United States seeking reassurances that a dysfunctional American Congress could pass legislation that would allow for the shipment of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, as part of an agreement called AUKUS among the United States, Britain and Australia. (The congressional tumult was on full display when a reporter notified both men that a new Republican speaker had finally been installed after 22 days.)

Charles Edel, a senior adviser and the inaugural Australia chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said in an interview that congressional lawmakers have also been concerned with the U.S. capacity to build and maintain a naval fleet if parts of the AUKUS agreement include sending ships to Australia.

“The Australians are understandably agitated and want this to move forward,” Mr. Edel said. He added that Mr. Biden’s supplemental budget request, which asks for $3.4 billion to build up the Navy’s submarine fleet and industrial base, has quelled worries among some lawmakers.

In the Rose Garden, Mr. Albanese reiterated his hopes that legislation would be passed this year before announcing that Australia had committed $25 million to assisting humanitarian efforts in Gaza: “We grieve for the loss of every innocent life, whether that be Israeli or Palestinian,” Mr. Albanese said. “In times of crisis, respect for international humanitarian law is paramount.”

Mr. Albanese’s visit came hours after Richard Marles, the deputy prime minister and defense minister of Australia, said on X, formerly Twitter, that his country would deploy additional Australian military personnel to the Middle East, along with military aircraft. In recent months, the Australians have accelerated efforts to supply missiles for the United States and expand joint military cooperation and training between the two countries.