Mike Pouraryan
Biden's Walk-About in the Middle East (A Brief Update)
Joe Biden has been making the rounds. I welcome his statement of support for the continued Security Guarantee for Israel. I also welcome his condemenation of the approval of 1600 homes approved for construction under a one-sided "exception" announced by the Israelis as Biden began his tour.
The Government of Israel's arrogance never seizes to amaze me. Not withstanding the smiles and the upbeat attitude, I have to wonder the nerve that the Israelis had in basically slapping Biden in the face. I regard it as a slap in the face of every American who supports every citizen of Israel to the tune of millions of dollars per year. What America does for Israel every year is more that it does for its' own citizens that go to sub-standard schools, have challenges with healthcare and are devoid of a sense of reasonable Social Safety Net that is ever more crucial especially during this tough economic times the World continues to go through.
The Israeli Prime Minister is already on the record opposing a two-state solution, has done everything it can to undermine the roadmap, has pulled the rug from under Abbas and his government and has pushed his vision for a Greater Israel. As Palestinians have made headway in trying to overcome despite great odds, the gains can be reversed at a moments' notice. It seems to me that common sense dictates a need to compromise. Pushing Palestinians to the margins and creating Bantustans is not the way to go. I am sure that Joe Biden will make it clear. I have to wonder if Bibi did not listen to Barack Obama and stuck to his talking points, what would be different in what Joe Biden will tell him.
I have faith in Joe Biden, but I don't know.
The Government of Israel's arrogance never seizes to amaze me. Not withstanding the smiles and the upbeat attitude, I have to wonder the nerve that the Israelis had in basically slapping Biden in the face. I regard it as a slap in the face of every American who supports every citizen of Israel to the tune of millions of dollars per year. What America does for Israel every year is more that it does for its' own citizens that go to sub-standard schools, have challenges with healthcare and are devoid of a sense of reasonable Social Safety Net that is ever more crucial especially during this tough economic times the World continues to go through.
The Israeli Prime Minister is already on the record opposing a two-state solution, has done everything it can to undermine the roadmap, has pulled the rug from under Abbas and his government and has pushed his vision for a Greater Israel. As Palestinians have made headway in trying to overcome despite great odds, the gains can be reversed at a moments' notice. It seems to me that common sense dictates a need to compromise. Pushing Palestinians to the margins and creating Bantustans is not the way to go. I am sure that Joe Biden will make it clear. I have to wonder if Bibi did not listen to Barack Obama and stuck to his talking points, what would be different in what Joe Biden will tell him.
I have faith in Joe Biden, but I don't know.
