Joe Biden reaches Israel, kicks off maiden Middle East trip

Isreal Prime Minister Yair Lapid and President Isaac Herzog were among those who received Joe Biden at Ben Gurion Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv.

Lapid called Biden 'a great Zionist and one of the best friends of Israel'.

"It is historic because it expresses the unbreakable bond between our two countries," Lapid said.

The Times of Israel quoted Lapid as saying that the two leaders would ''discuss building a new security and economy architecture with the nations of the Middle East, following the Abraham Accords and the achievements of the Negev Summit".

Lapid said they would also discuss the Iranian nuclear program.

Meanwhile, Harzog, in his speech at the airport, said the visit will deal with the 'threats emanating from Iran that endanger the region'.

In his first speech after touching down Israel, Biden hailed the ties between the US and Israel.

"The connection between the Israeli people and the American people is bone deep," the online newspaper quoted Biden as saying.

"Our relationship has gotten stronger with each generation and that his administration has taken the bilateral relationship to new heights," he added.

Biden will spend two days in Jerusalem before meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday.

It is his first Middle East trip as President Biden will also attend a summit of Gulf allies.

It is Biden's first Israel visit as President and 10th overall.