The president wants to close the infamous prison where terror suspects are being held • White House spokeswoman evaded response to Israel's status
President Biden
Photo:
Reuters
President Joe Biden's team has launched an official investigation into the detention of security detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In doing so, Biden renewed the policies of the Obama administration, which worked for a long time to close the infamous detention center.
White House spokeswoman Jen Saki was asked on Friday if the president intends to close the jail by the end of his term, and answered in the affirmative.
"These are definitely our goal and intention," she stated.
Senior officials involved in the talks told Reuters that the administration is considering issuing presidential orders on behalf of Biden relating to Guantanamo over the coming months.
The initiative to close the jail will not be a simple task - it is likely to face political opposition and legal obstacles, the same challenges that prevented former President Barack Obama from succeeding in his goal.
One way or another, the U.S. National Security Council has begun, with the State Department, the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice, the process of examining the closure of the prison, which opened after the twin disaster, to hold and investigate terror suspects.
Former President Trump has during his tenure stopped all proceedings to close the place.
Guantanamo Bay currently holds 40 inmates, most of whom have been held there for nearly two decades without being charged or on trial.
Meanwhile, Biden's policy regarding the Middle East remains vague, amplifying the tension between Jerusalem and Washington.
A White House spokeswoman was asked at Tuesday's briefing to clarify the new US policy in the region, and evaded when asked specifically whether the administration sees Saudi Arabia and Israel as "important allies."
"I think there are ongoing processes, and inter-agency processes, and just last week there was a meeting on a variety of issues in the Middle East," Saki said.
"I think I will let the policy processes come to an end before we have a complete picture of our national security approach on a variety of issues."
Saki's remarks over the weekend join her statement from last week regarding the fact that Biden and Netanyahu have not yet spoken.
"I do not have an exact timetable," she said, "but I can guarantee that the president will speak to the prime minister soon - and he expects that."
