The Arabs Get Obama! (Israel Gets Biden)

It's easy being vice president. You don't have to do anything.
Vice President Joe Biden

Haaretz notes:

To date the U.S. administration has not made a serious effort to reach out to the Israeli public, unlike addresses by President Barack Obama aimed at the Arab and Muslim world. Obama will continue to convey his message, which began during speeches in Turkey and Egypt, with another during an official visit to Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country.

Not doubt realizing this discrepancy, and wanting to do whatever is necessary to resolve it--Obama is sending Biden to Israel. Hope it won't burden Biden too much.

Remember what Biden told Israel, when he was campaigning with Obama?

Barack Obama's presidential running-mate Joseph Biden told Israeli officials that they need to accept the idea Iran will acquire nuclear weapons.

Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, visiting Israel several years ago, told Israeli officials diplomacy and sanctions would be futile against Iran.

On Monday Israel's Army Radio reported details of the comments Biden made when he met with "senior Israeli officials behind closed doors."

Reportedly Biden told the officials he opposed "opening a additional military and diplomatic front" against Iran.

"Israel will have to reconcile itself with the nuclearization of Iran," Army Radio quoted Biden as telling the Israelis.

Army Radio said that at that time Israeli officials were shocked by Biden's comments.

There is one other thing memorable about Biden and his dealings with Israel.In a post on Soccer Dad, I quoted from The New York Sun's now defunct blog, It Shines For All:

When hearing the name Biden, we always think of the famous exchange between Biden and Prime Minister Begin. As Moshe Zak recounted in a March 13, 1992, piece in the Jerusalem Post:

In a conversation with Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, after a sharp confrontation in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the subject of the settlements, Begin defined himself as "a proud Jew who does not tremble with fear" when speaking with foreign statesmen. 

During that committee hearing, at the height of the Lebanon War, Sen. John [sic] Biden (Delaware) had attacked Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria and threatened that if Israel did not immediately cease this activity, the US would have to cut economic aid to Israel.

When the senator raised his voice and banged twice on the table with his fist, Begin commented to him: "This desk is designed for writing, not for fists. Don't threaten us with slashing aid. Do you think that because the US lends us money it is entitled to impose on us what we must do? We are grateful for the assistance we have received, but we are not to be threatened. I am a proud Jew. Three thousand years of culture are behind me, and you will not frighten me with threats. Take note: we do not want a single soldier of yours to die for us."

After the meeting, Sen. Moynihan approached Begin and praised him for his cutting reply. To which Begin answered with thanks, defining his stand against threats.

It will be interesting to see just what kind of tone Biden takes with Israel this time--and whether Netanyahu is up to dealing with Biden from strength the way Begin did--or like Olmert.

To be honest, Biden's people deny that he told Israel they will have to live with a nuclear Iran. They noted that:

"Joe Biden's first trip as a Senator was to Israel, he has worked with every Israeli leader from Golda Meir to Prime Minister Olmert, and he takes a back seat to no one when it comes to protecting the relationship between Israel and the U.S. Senator Biden has consistently stated - publicly and privately - that a nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat to Israel and the United States and that we must prevent a nuclear Iran," the statement continued.

Having commented so forcefully on the threat Iran is to both Israel and the US, it will of course be important to see just how the US deals with that threat.

So far, the Obama administration is impressing no one with their foreign policy in general and their negotiations with Iran. Will Biden suggest that Israel follow their example and wait?

Technorati Tag: Israel and Joe Biden.