JERUSALEM (CNN) — The United States and Israel will issue a joint memorandum of understanding during President Joe Biden’s visit to Jerusalem this week, which will serve as a “blueprint” for bilateral relations over the next few years, senior Israeli officials told reporters Tuesday.
Senior Israeli officials said the memorandum, dubbed the “Jerusalem Declaration,” would be “a living testimony to the special relationship between the two countries – the unique depth and intimacy of the US-Israel relationship.”
The officials said the announcement would highlight areas of common interest and concern between the two countries, chief among them Iran.
In contacting reporters, a senior Israeli official said the memo would include a US pledge that “Iran will never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons,” and would also acknowledge that Israel would “defend itself by itself if necessary.”
The document will also make clear the United States’ readiness to promote further normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states.
A senior Israeli official noted that Saudi Arabia – to which Biden will fly directly from Tel Aviv airport on Friday – is an integral part of “the transformation of the Middle East,” adding that Biden’s flight will be the first steps toward normalizing relations between Israel and the kingdom.
In the call with reporters, a senior official explained: “This is a very sensitive relationship. It is very fragile. It is new in many ways. The steps that will be taken now will only be the beginning … the beginning of the process of normalization between countries.”