U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is meeting Monday with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi on the first leg of a trip that will include visits to Israel and Jordan.

The White House said Biden and his wife Jill will also meet with U.S. forces stationed in the United Arab Emirates.  Jill Biden will also attend an event on UAE efforts to promote gender empowerment.

On Tuesday, they go to Dubai before flying to Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will host talks with Biden on Wednesday.  Ahead of their meeting, Netanyahu said the visit is evidence of the strong relations between Israel and the United States and that those who predicted the collapse of their ties have been proven wrong.

Biden will also meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday, and on Thursday with Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
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