"So what is Israel actually trying to achieve? Basically, nothing. There is a superficial peace process which is going nowhere but eases international pressure on Israel to reach a deal with the Palestinians.
Netanyahu prides himself on his decades-long relationship with Biden, but managed to destroy it Tuesday night when Israel spat in the vice president's face. Barak and Netanyahu's grave explanations, that they "didn't know," "didn't hear," didn't see" each time a new plan is approved for construction, (or on the flip side, demolition) in East Jerusalem - see Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan and more - are dwarfed by the current embarrassment caused to the American administration." Ha'aretz
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Biden has been a faithful friend to Israel for a long time. Perhaps "mindless" friend would be a more accurate description.
I mentioned once here that I was in Biden's senate office on one occasion when Biden's Zionism boiled over in a truly repulsive display of temper. I was there with my Arab employer to visit the senator. the Arab didn't want anything except to meet Biden. He was foolish enough to think that an acquaintance with such people is a kind of talisman. It is not. The Arab made some pro forma positive reference to the "peace process." Biden flew into a rage, grew red in the face and shouted that this was an insincere lie and that his guest knew that it was only Arab stubbornness that prevented "little Israel' from living in peace. His "guest" sat through this with what dignity he could manage. I would have walked out on him if I had been alone.
Perhaps "Joe the Gardener" has learned something from this latest experience... I doubt it. I don't think he is smart enough for that sort of epiphany. He will continue to "carry water" for Israel and for the group of political donors who actually control him. Delaware is a small state. Such a project is quite manageable. Someone among you will inform us.
What should have happened yesterday? Cancellation of the visit would have been the right response. pl
Ironies abound. Some of the very people who decry Obama's "weakness" toward Iran have no problem with Israeli officials systematically humiliating our representatives. The fact that Biden was not ordered to leave immediately is why I no longer listen to President Obama. He is a smart man who, sadly, has a total blind spot for deliberate insults.
Posted by: Matthew | 10 March 2010 at 11:42 AM
***Perhaps "mindless" friend would be a more accurate description.***
actually, that seems to describe the entire u.s. congress (and media) for the past 25 years.
Posted by: linda | 10 March 2010 at 11:44 AM
I am disgusted that Biden did not get back into his plane and leave when he heard about the building of the settlements and equally disgusted that Obama did not order him to do so. We look weak, and that is not a good look during a time we are at war.
I can so identify with the animals in animal farm except in our case, it is the voter who look from Democrat to Republican and cannot tell the difference.
Posted by: Nancy K | 10 March 2010 at 12:21 PM
"I don't think he is smart enough for that sort of epiphany." At least Obama got him out of the Senate. Imagine how he'd be helping in what passes for banking reform these days if he were still there.
Posted by: Fred Strack | 10 March 2010 at 01:15 PM
Are you really surprised that Biden didn't stand up to Israel? How many politicians do you know that actually done that (and could keep their job:)?
Posted by: Toni | 10 March 2010 at 01:48 PM
Biden and the majority memberships of both the House and Senate need to register themselves as agents for a foreign government (Israel) under FARA, and resign their respective posts. Alas, there is no U.S. 'backbone' anymore in the White House or the Congress since Kennedy stood up to the postage stamp known as Zionist Israel.
The way to stop this nonsense is for all of the voting citizenry to mandate/demand that the Presidency/Congress all work pro bono and the Congress membership live in dorm like facilites where their meals and transportation to and from the Hill is provided. It would require that they all 'work' for U.S. interests for a change, and not butt lickers for foreign governments who pay for their personal Congressional yellow brick roads.
Posted by: J | 10 March 2010 at 01:52 PM
The Israelis are toying with Biden and Obama. 'If' Obama and Biden had any guts amongst them, they would cut off ALL aid to Israel, shrink them back to their U.N. mandated borders. Take away their un-declared nuclear weapons arsenal, by force, if necessary. The right thing to do is arrest their Israeli leaders for their war crimes, and for their Schutzstaffel style collective punishment upon the Palestinan Arabs.
Posted by: J | 10 March 2010 at 02:08 PM
The fact this man is second in line to the Presidency is scary.
He did not act like a person who cares about himself or the office he represents.
So what can we expect should he, God forgive me for suggesting, be forced to move up?
Scary.
Posted by: Jose | 10 March 2010 at 02:30 PM
Appeasement, no? We'll pretend this will all get better when we know it won't?
Posted by: Castellio | 10 March 2010 at 02:50 PM
I have Jewish roots. In discussions of the Jewish character with Jewish friends the comment was repeatedly made that Jewish tragedy is always to go one step too far. The Right wing will be congratulating Netanyahu on his Chutzpah, but Chutzpah can have fatal national consequences.
From Wikipedia:
"In Hebrew, chutzpah is used indignantly, to describe someone who has over-stepped the boundaries of accepted behavior with no shame. But in Yiddish and English, chutzpah has developed ambivalent and even positive connotations. Chutzpah can be used to express admiration for non-conformist but gutsy audacity. Leo Rosten in The Joys of Yiddish defines chutzpah as "gall, brazen nerve, effrontery, incredible 'guts,' presumption plus arrogance such as no other word and no other language can do justice to." In this sense, chutzpah expresses both strong disapproval and a grudging admiration. In the same work Rosten also defined the term as "that quality enshrined in a man who, having killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan.""
Posted by: walrus | 10 March 2010 at 02:59 PM
One wonders if Mrs Clinton and Mr Biden are trying to assure Israel that they have GRENN LIGHT for some more foolishness. This type of nonsense can have extremely prejudicial effect on Uncle Sam, for it Israel acts irrationally [re Lebanon, or re Iran] the USA cvould be between a rock and a hard place:
1., back "our everlasting friend" with military might, which could lead to USA Collapse [oil stops flowing, and China Japan out bid the USA for the rest]; or starts WW III.
2., The PResident informs the Israeli leadertsdhip that as C-i-C of USA forces, he instructed the said forces to shoot down any and all Israeli planes heading East! For good measure he could send a carrier group to the Eastern End of the Meditertrean Sea, to foreclose even flights to the North [Guaranteeing the sovereignity of Lebqanon and Syria Air-space against Israel]. Oil still flows but AIPAC et al cause untold internal problems [Solution to this is declare AIPAC a foreign agent!]
Mr. Obama did not need this on his plate, he has MORE THAN enough problems already.
Posted by: N. M. Salamon | 10 March 2010 at 03:44 PM
Sure do miss former Secretary of State James Baker. He told the Israeli's that when they were serious about peace, to give him a call. Next thing you know, credit crunch and out the door for Bush/Baker.
Posted by: euclidcreek | 10 March 2010 at 04:18 PM
Toni
No. Of course not. That is what is called a rhetorical flourish. pl
Posted by: Patrick Lang | 10 March 2010 at 04:21 PM
NMS
No. I think that this is just more ineptitude informed by the overwhelming presence and hostility of the Zionist element in America. pl
Posted by: Patrick Lang | 10 March 2010 at 04:22 PM
In January 1998, Clinton was going to read the riot act to Netanyahu regarding the settlements. While Netanyahu was in transit,the Monica Lewinksy story hits the media, and all hell breaks loose: settlements? what settlements? Biden/Obama are just as comprimised.
Posted by: euclidcreek | 10 March 2010 at 04:37 PM
Pat, as always, your little vignettes are the spice of your scholarship for me.
Its business as usual in Bizarro Reverso Dog-wagging-tail World.
Bow to a culturally significant hereditary Emperor whilst perusing the forward position in the East, where politics is nuance and face, and the peanut gallery goes DefCon Full High Dudgeon.
Bend over and spread 'em for the high maintenance tail, and nary a peep from the same gang, maybe a "Good doggie" or a bone for Joe.
Sickening.
Posted by: Charles I | 10 March 2010 at 05:40 PM
Linda
They are not mindless friend at all.
This is a message to those nations that have any doubt who is really in charge of the strongest military power in the world.
F.E.
Posted by: Farshid Ebrahimi | 10 March 2010 at 05:46 PM
Charles I
"The life so short, the craft so long to learn..."
Charlie, you are great! What is it that you drink? As Lincoln said, we should send you a case. pl
Posted by: Patrick Lang | 10 March 2010 at 06:10 PM
Sir:
You didn't want McCain, you got Biden.
Be careful what you wish for.
Posted by: graywolf | 10 March 2010 at 06:10 PM
graywolf
I wanted Hillary. McCain has something wrong with him. pl
Posted by: Patrick Lang | 10 March 2010 at 06:12 PM
Farshid
Let's see.. What would be more apt?
"A pox on both your houses..."
or
"I don't have a dog in this fight..."
pl
Posted by: Patrick Lang | 10 March 2010 at 06:14 PM
Sir:
I'm certainly no McCain fan.
A bad candidate who ran a worse campaign.
Hillary wasn't on the ballot, though.
Posted by: graywolf | 10 March 2010 at 06:16 PM
Graywolf
Sir, perhaps we can agree on this. pl
Posted by: Patrick Lang | 10 March 2010 at 06:49 PM
The only serious Democratic candidate who would have dealt with Israel effectively was Kucinich. (not sure if Gravel was serious.)
Hillary had seemingly fewer Arab friends to betray than had Obama.
Posted by: Ken Hoop | 10 March 2010 at 07:06 PM
Do Netanyahu and his government realize that these actions add fuel to the fire and lend credence to the theory that the Israeli tail wags the American dog?
It is astonishingly short sighted.
Posted by: GregB | 10 March 2010 at 07:27 PM