Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed US President Joe Biden in Bethlehem on Friday before leaving for Saudi Arabia on the second stage of his trip.
During his meeting with Abbas, Biden is expected to restate his backing for a two-state solution to the decades-long conflict and will unveil a fresh package of economic and technical assistance for the Palestinians, but there are no expectations of any major political breakthrough.
A senior administration official told Reuters that Biden will not come with a plan to restart the stalled Israel-Palestinian peace process during his visit the West Bank on Friday.
"[There] are practical realities on the ground that we are very mindful of so we have not come in with a top-down plan but we have always said that if the parties are ready to talk, and we think they should, we will be there, right beside them," the official said.
Before heading to Bethlehem, Biden pledged an additional $100 million to support hospitals in East Jerusalem as part of a multiyear commitment aimed at helping Palestinian health services.
Biden made the pledge at the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem.
"Today I'm pleased to announce the United States is committing an additional $100 million to support these hospitals, your staffs that work for the Palestinian people," he said.
