I felt nauseated when I heard that the big gesture by Joe Biden, in response to Israel announcing more settlements on his arrival in Jerusalem, was being late to dinner. Paul Woodward nails it:
The administration either needs to threaten to apply real pressure on the Israeli government, or, if it wants to confine itself to diplomatic gestures then it should do so under the tutelage of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In response to Israel’s latest contemptuous behavior, Biden could — he really could — have turned around and said adiós. He does after all belong to an administration that less than a year ago was advising Netanyahu to complete his “homework” on freezing settlements before it would be worth arranging a meeting.
I don’t think it would take that much by the U.S. government to break the Netanyahu coalition. Why not try? And yes, the U.S. are finally talking about a break in the special relationship; but Chris Matthews and the Washington Post both called East Jerusalem "disputed East Jerusalem." It’s not disputed. It’s annexed, unilaterally, in defiance of international law, the so-called future Palestinian capital.
Oh and here’s Jackson Diehl in the Washington Post saying it’s Biden’s mistake, and Obama doesn’t know how to reassure the Israelis.
Five words: Rahm Emmanuel, Chief of Staff.
and Jackson Diehl’s link above, makes you wonder who side is he on. He is speaking very glib, saying that Biden miscalculated and should know that he is supposed to placate Israelis with love speeches.
The funny part is that he doesn’t even realize how laughable his entire blub is.
This sentence says it all:
“The ambushing of high-level American visitors to Jerusalem via the announcement of new settlements is a tried-and-true tactic of Israeli hard-liners seeking to derail peace negotiations.”
and more:
“blah, blah, blah…(cont’d.) By that measure, Biden flunked. Interrupted in the middle of what was supposed to be a day of love-bombing Israelis with speeches and other demonstrations of U.S. support, he kept Netanyahu and his wife waiting for 90 minutes into a scheduled dinner before issuing a statement that harshly criticized the interior ministry’s announcement.”
He should be fired, for this rubbish. But he’s part of the grease that coats the wheels in Washington. So the Congress will be next to parrot similar drivel.
I believe this snub toward Biden, is a point for the Congress to realize they’re played for fools. This public humiliation of a vice president should be discussed by the media and at least comprehended by the Pro-Israel Congress (not Baird, Ellis or the 50 others). If this issue subsides quickly, it will be a tell-tale sign of the future relationship toward Israel.
I think in the least this should draw some conservative support, but we’ll see who ruffles their feathers on this. Sadly, I wouldn’t expect to hear anything from the Democratic leaders. Steny Hoyer is a lackey stooge, and is Pelosi is a strange Washington creation – recall her stance on Jane Harman waddling into espionage case against AIPAC. Pelosi was mum during that time.
“In return for this intervention, the alleged intelligence agent said he would pressure then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) into naming Harman chair of the intelligence panel. He promised to do so by having one of Pelosi’s major campaign donors — reportedly Beverly Hills entertainment magnate Haim Saban — withhold contributions unless Harman received the appointment.”
link to articles.latimes.com
Biden condemned the construction, very strong language for the US relative to Israel.
Matthews and Bronner had relevant commentary on the degree that Israel can afford to stretch the relationship with the US without falling apart internally.
Yes your prescription for the only approach that will produce reform in Israel is working amazingly well isn’t it Witty? This outcome is so much better than what BDS would achieve right Witty? Are you proud of yourself?
What a little more stealing of Arab land make any difference to western supporters of Israel. As John Kaminski wrote: “When you read the history of Israel from objective sources, you discover that it is an outlaw state, created by the powers that be by stealing the land from its original inhabitants, and systematically exterminating them ever since.”
How the West got fooled
link to rehmat1.wordpress.com
Bit of an over-reaction on Biden’s part, I think.
Stealing land? Well, boys will be boys.
But late for dinner? That’s rude.
Stealing land? Well, boys will be boys.
But late for dinner? That’s rude.
After all, it’s this sort of thing that sets us apart from the natives (there must be a good quote to that effect from the days of the Raj). Lest we forget who invented the cherry tomato and the fish fork.
These Knesset guys have perfect timing.
****
A group of Knesset faction chairmen on Wednesday sent a letter to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden requesting clemency for Jonathan Pollard, who is serving a life sentence in the U.S. after being convicted of spying for Israel.
“We are turning to you with a heartfelt request: that you act with kindness and mercy toward the ill Jonathan Pollard, and limit his punishment as a humanitarian gesture to the Jewish people ahead of the Passover holiday, the holiday of freedom,” read part of the letter sent to Biden by Uri Ariel (National Union-National Religious Party) and other MKs.
MKs to Biden: Show kindness and mercy for Jonathan Pollard
***
Note that these extremist Zionists couch their plea as ” a gift to the Jewish people” in a standard issue attempt to conflate Zionism with Judaism. In spite of his protests to the contrary, Jonathan Pollard betrayed America for money, not for the Jewish people. He was paid by the state of Israel for the many tens of thousands of highly classified documents he passed to its agents, and also attempted to sell to other countries.
It would be wonderful if the US would publicly adopt this position re the endless and shameless Israli impotuning on behalf of JJP : anytime pollard is brought up by an Israeli or any Israeli spokesperson in either an official or an unofficial capacity, the US will counter with a mention of either the USS Liberty, Rachel Corrie, Dimona and the israeli nuclear weapons programs, or Mordechai Vannunu.
Biden arrived late for dinner?
Wow! That’ll really show the Likudists who’s boss in those parts.
Imagine if the USA actually did something constructive and ballsy — like publicly cancelling the talks, and explicitly stating that the new construction was the reason why.
Israel constantly bites the only hand stupid enought o feed it — why not from time to time give bibi and his ilk the back of our hand?
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