US Secret Service agent arrested after altercation in Israel, sent home

Incident occurred as Biden begins first trip to region as president.

This picture taken on November 1, 2021 from the Mount of Olives shows a crow perching on a figure of two superimposed Stars of David at the top of a flagpole carrying an Israeli flag, with houses in Jerusalem's predominantly Arab neighbourhood of Silwan appearing in the background.

By Dace Potas

A member of President Biden's Secret Service detail was sent back home Tuesday after a "physical encounter" with a woman in Jerusalem as he exited dinner with colleagues.

As Biden kicks off his first Middle East visit as president, the unnamed agent allegedly struck a woman after a "collision," according to CBS News.

He was taken into custody by Israeli police but released without charges after questioning. The State Department was made aware of the incident while the agent was detained.

"The employee has returned to the United States," said a Secret Service spokesman. "In accordance with agency protocol, his access to Secret Service systems and facilities was suspended pending further investigation."

Israeli police have not commented on the incident or released any details.

Biden arrived in Israel on Wednesday. He plans to visit both the West Bank and Saudi Arabia over the next four days before returning home on Saturday.