Joe Biden is on his way to the Middle East on his first visit to the region as president of the United States, with Israel as his first stop, then the occupied West Bank and Saudi Arabia during July 13-16.

The US leader will spend two days in Jerusalem on talks with Israeli leaders, including interim Prime Minister Yair Lapid and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before meeting Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday in the occupied West Bank.

He will then take an unprecedented direct flight from Israel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – as the kingdom does not recognize Israel’s existence – for talks with Saudi officials  and to attend a summit of Gulf allies.