Poodle Biden Gets Kicked
Actually, Joe set himself up. From the moment he set foot on Israeli soil, our vice president was in full pander mode.
First, he headed to Yad Vashem memorial, where he put on a yarmulke and declared Israel “a central bolt in our existence.”
“For world Jewry,” Joe went on, presumably including 5 million Americans, “Israel is the heart. … Israel is the light. … Israel is the hope.”
Meeting Shimon Peres the next day, Joe confessed that when he first visited at age 29, “Israel captured my heart.”
In Peres’ guestbook, he wrote, “The bond between our two nations has been and remains unshakeable.”
He then told Peres and the world, “There is absolutely no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel’s security.”
As Peres spoke, Biden took notes. When Peres called him “a friend,” Joe gushed, “It’s good to be home.”
Even at AIPAC, they must have been gagging.
Walking around the corner to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office, Joe called him by his nickname, “Bibi,” declared him a “real” friend and said the U.S. relationship with Israel “has been and will continue to be the centerpiece of our policy.”
Then the sandbag hit.
Interior Minister Eli Yishai announced construction of 1,600 new apartment units in Arab East Jerusalem. Stunned and humiliated, Biden issued a statement saying he “condemned” the decision.
He then retaliated by coming late to dinner at Bibi’s house.
Netanyahu has apologized for the timing, but they are going ahead with the apartments. What are the Americans going to do about it? At this point, nothing but bluster.
Indeed, a day later, at Tel Aviv University, Joe was back at it: “(T)he U.S. has no better friend … than Israel.”
On his departure for Jordan, Ha’aretz reported that Israel plans to build 50,000 new homes in East Jerusalem over the next few years.
Biden may feel he was played for a fool, and Americans may feel jilted, but we got what grovelers deserve. And if we wish to understand why the Arabs who once respected us now seem contemptuous of us, consider that battered-spouse response to a public slap across the face.
Consider also the most remarkable statement of Biden’s first 24 hours.
“Progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel.”
Biden is saying we are a more effective force for Mideast peace in a region where Arabs outnumber Israelis 50 to one if everyone knows we sing from the same song sheet as Israel and have no policy independent of Israel’s.
How can America be seen as an honest broker between Arabs and Israelis if there is “no space” between America and Israel?
Even with the closest ally in our history, Britain in World War II, there was space between Winston Churchill and FDR on where to invade — North Africa, Italy, France, the Balkans? — whether to beat Stalin to Berlin, Prague and Vienna, who should be supreme allied commander, even whether the British Empire should survive.
Israel keeps its own interests foremost in mind, and when these dictate actions inimical to U.S. interests, Israel acts unilaterally. David Ben-Gurion did not seek Dwight Eisenhower’s permission to attack Egypt in collusion with the French and British in 1956, enraging Ike.
Israel did not consult JFK on whether it could steal enriched uranium from the NUMEC plant in Pennsylvania for its atom bomb program.
Israel did not consult us on whether it could attack the USS Liberty in the Six-Day War, or suborn Jonathan Pollard to loot our security secrets, or transfer our weapons technology to China. They went ahead and did it, knowing the Americans would swallow hard and take it.
Ehud Olmert did not consult President-elect Obama on whether to launch a war on Gaza and kill 1,400 Palestinians. Nor did Netanyahu consult us before Mossad took down the Hamas minister in Dubai.
What Netanyahu and Yishai are telling Obama with their decision to keep building on occupied land is, “When it comes to East Jerusalem and the West Bank, we decide, not you.”
And if Netanyahu has jolted Joe and others out of their romantic reveries about Israel, good. At least now we no longer see as through a glass darkly.
Israeli and U.S. interests often run parallel, but they are not the same. Israel is concerned with a neighborhood. We are concerned with a world of 300 million Arabs and a billion Muslims. Our policies cannot be the same.
If they are, we will end up with all of Israel’s enemies, who are legion, and only Israel’s friends, who are few.
And if our policy and Israel’s are one and the same, the Arab perception will be what it is today — that America cannot stand up to Israel, even when her national interests command it.
Joe’s performance before he got the wet mitten across the face only underscored the point: The mighty superpower is a poodle of Israel.
Wasn’t it Biden’s boss, Obama, who said that for eight years under Bush/Cheney, there was “no daylight” between the US and Israel, and there was no progress? Why is Biden contradicting his own boss?
“When it comes to East Jerusalem and the West Bank, we [the Israelis] decide, not you.”
Great! No problem! And, if Israel decides that Iran is a clear and present danger to them, then I say, “Have at it! No green light from Washington required!”
And no green money, either. Henceforth.
Pat would make a lot more sense if he stoped with his covert anti-semetism. That sentence from the article above is a perfect example.
“For world Jewry,” Joe went on, presumably including 5 million Americans, “Israel is the heart. . . . Israel is the light. . . . Israel is the hope.”
Pat is of course implying that american jews have a deeper connection to israel than they do to US.
Pat Buchanan has been right from the beginning.
As a former Christian Zionist, my views on Israel changed after reading
“What Price Israel” (1953) by Alfred Lilienthal, a Jewish-American
and “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy” by John Mearshimer and Stephen Walt.
Christian and Jewish Zionists believe that modern Israel is entitled to all the land God promised to Abraham from the Nile River to the Euphrates River (Genesis 15:18-21). Take a good look at a map of that region.
Israel’s first Prime Minister Menachem Begin was reportedly quoted to the effect that the Bible predicts the Israeli state will eventually include portions of Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan, and Kuwait.
Really? Is that why the Muslims hate us?
If Christians and Jews want God’s blessing on the United States, then they had better first find a path to peace for Israel, Palestine, and neighboring countries that does not involve more wars and the killing of innocent Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East.
Many of them do, Michael. A fact’s a fact.
@michael,: “For world Jewry,” Joe went on, presumably including 5 million Americans, “Israel is the heart. . . . Israel is the light. . . . Israel is the hope.” Pat is of course implying that american jews have a deeper connection to israel than they do to US.
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It was Biden who said it, not Pat Buchanan.
But I do agree that it’s important to distinguish between “world Jewry” and Jews who subscribe to the supremacist ideology of Zionism, which goes way beyond merely the question of Israel. Maybe you should write a letter to Biden suggesting he be more cautious.
There is a dynamic at work which obviates any discussion of land claims, human rights violations, or the impact within America of groups like AEI and AIPAC:
Economics.
As the U.S. loses ground to China economically, it shall lose the geopolitical AND military gravitas which it once held in abundance. The time is not too distant when America will have to look out for its OWN survival, and, at that point, to phrase it most indelicately, Israel is pretty much screwed!
“important to distinguish between ‘world Jewry’ and Jews who subscribe to the supremacist ideology of Zion”
Responsible Zionism ought to be supported by people who believe that nations and peoples have a right to continue to exist in the 21st Century. It’s only fair. Notwithstanding the fact that many supporters of Jewish nationalism have unfortunate tendency not to support the national aspirations and ethnic preservation of other peoples, at least when those other peoples are of European descent.
What should NOT be supported is extreme Zionism, a Zionism that seeks to rule over non-Jews. What should be even more strongly opposed is enabling this extreme Zionism to grow by guaranteeing that it will be tolerated and protected by the United States, financially diplomatically and militarily.
@crypto jay: “What should NOT be supported is extreme Zionism, a Zionism that seeks to rule over non-Jews. What should be even more strongly opposed is enabling this extreme Zionism to grow by guaranteeing that it will be tolerated and protected by the United States, financially diplomatically and militarily.”
Sadly, at this juncture all Zionism seems of a piece. If there really is a party embracing a less belligerent, less jingoistic Zionism, it had better come become a lot more public and condemn the actions of people like Bibi. But, I’m told Bibi’s a moderate…at least compared with Avigdor Libermann, the leader of Yisrael Betheinu, a man so racist that if he weren’t Jewish would make a fine great wizard of the KKK.
When it comes to Israel, American politicians are thoroughly contemptible.
And not just Joe Biden, who’s a well-known Bozo. How many times have we seen entire delegations of Congressmen travel to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem like Medieval supplicants to the Pope or like pilgrims on an unholy Hajj.
If American politicians are planning to confer statehood on Israel – then, get on with it. Otherwise, start acting like American – not Israeli – politicians.
PRETRIB RAPTURE POLITICS
Many are still unaware of the eccentric, 180-year-old British theory underlying the politics of American evangelicals and Christian Zionists.
Journalist and historian Dave MacPherson has spent more than 40 years focusing on the origin and spread of what is known as the apocalyptic “pretribulation rapture” – the inspiration behind Hal Lindsey’s bestsellers of the 1970s and Tim LaHaye’s today.
Although promoters of this endtime evacuation from earth constantly repeat their slogan that “it’s imminent and always has been” (which critics view more as a sales pitch than a scriptural statement), it was unknown in all official theology and organized religion before 1830.
And MacPherson’s research also reveals how hostile the pretrib rapture view has been to other faiths:
It is anti-Islam. TV preacher John Hagee has been advocating “a pre-emptive military strike against Iran.” (Google “Roots of Warlike Christian Zionism.”)
It is anti-Jewish. MacPherson’s book “The Rapture Plot” (see Armageddon Books etc.) exposes hypocritical anti-Jewishness in even the theory’s foundation.
It is anti-Catholic. Lindsey and C. I. Scofield are two of many leaders who claim that the final Antichrist will be a Roman Catholic. (Google “Pretrib Hypocrisy.”)
It is anti-Protestant. For this reason no major Protestant denomination has ever adopted this escapist view.
It even has some anti-evangelical aspects. The first publication promoting this novel endtime view spoke degradingly of “the name by which the mixed multitude of modern Moabites love to be distinguished, – the Evangelical World.” (MacPherson’s “Plot,” p. 85)
Despite the above, MacPherson proves that the “glue” that holds constantly in-fighting evangelicals together long enough to be victorious voting blocs in elections is the same “fly away” view. He notes that Jerry Falwell, when giving political speeches just before an election, would unfailingly state: “We believe in the pretribulational rapture!”
In addition to “The Rapture Plot,” MacPherson’s many internet articles include “Famous Rapture Watchers,” “Pretrib Rapture Diehards,” “Edward Irving is Unnerving,” “America’s Pretrib Rapture Traffickers,” “Thomas Ice (Bloopers),” “Pretrib Rapture Secrecy” and “Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty” (massive plagiarism, phony doctorates, changing of early “rapture” documents in order to falsely credit John Darby with this view, etc.!).
Because of his devastating discoveries, MacPherson is now No. 1 on the “hate” list of pretrib rapture leaders!
There’s no question that the leading promoters of this bizarre 19th century end-of-the-world doctrine are solidly pro-Israel and necessarily anti-Palestinian. In light of recently uncovered facts about this fringe-British-invented belief which has always been riddled with dishonesty, many are wondering why it should ever have any influence on Middle East affairs.
This Johnny-come-lately view raises millions of dollars for political agendas. Only when scholars of all faiths begin to look deeply at it and widely air its “dirty linen” will it cease to be a power. It is the one theological view no one needs!
With apologies to Winston Churchill – never has so much deception been foisted on so many by so few!
[Also Google "David Letterman's Hate, Etc."]
“For world Jewry,” Joe went on, presumably including 5 million Americans, “Israel is the heart. … Israel is the light. … Israel is the hope.
If only that were the case.
Maybe it’s meant for Biden’s to awaken the Jewish souls to their responsibilty.
For the majority of American and world [including too much of Israeli] Jewry there seems to be at best only a vague emotional attachment to Israel or the bible. Lack of quality Jewish education for the vast majority and the temptations of the fleshpots of Egypt have resulted in many Jews abandoning the mission for which they were chosen to be redeemed from slavery 80+ generations ago. The great destiny God has promised the Jews, and through their efforts the righteous of all mankind is being delayed. As I understand it the Jews as a community in Israel need to learn and keep God’s laws and all we be well. If not the land may again cast them out until I suppose a more righteous generation of Jews arises to fulfill the promise God made to Abraham. I don’t believe God breaks his word. Despite misinterpretations and outright lies the eternal covenant God made with Abraham holds true re Jews today.
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)
“…The great destiny God has promised the Jews, and through their efforts the righteous of all mankind is being delayed. As I understand it the Jews as a community in Israel need to learn and keep God’s laws and all we be well. If not the land may again cast them out until I suppose a more righteous generation of Jews arises to fulfill the promise God made to Abraham…”
Then let them do it on “God’s” dime, not the American taxpayers’.
@Jane Marple: Actually I’d describe Lieberman as the Pat Buchanan of Israel, and not pejoratively. I believe he has spoken of swapping West Bank Jewish settlement blocs for Israeli Arab towns in any comprehensive peace agreement. From an ethnonationalist viewpoint, that makes sense. Jews in one state, Arabs in another, as much as possible.
I am also thoroughly sick and tired of American politicians pledging undying fealty to their Zionist masters – as if we had elected them to serve as vassals to this foreign power.
What’s more, these pols have the effrontery of pledging such an oath not on their own behalf, but on that of this entire country. Well, I have news for them: leave this citizen out! I do not pledge perpetual allegiance to an alien government. And, in fact, not even to our own unless I consider it is acting with a modicum of moral rectitude and in full compliance with our laws.