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Israel Slaps Biden Across the Face

Once again, the right wing in Israel doesn’t know what is best for them, and the United States allows them to get away with everything.  Vice President Joe Biden visited with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday to reinforce America’s unwavering support for Israel.  Recently, the United States has urged Mr. Netanyahu to stop Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem.  Israel considers East Jerusalem part of its capital, a position which the international community rejects, and announced plans to build 1,600 new housing units in occupied territory, just hours after Vice President Biden arrived in Israel.  This announcement by Israel undermines the entire purpose of Mr. Biden’s trip.  The whole purpose of the Vice President’s trip was to restart peace talks with Palestine and to assure Israel of America’s support for their security in a volatile region.  How does Israel ever expect to gain peace in the region if they continue to build these settlements?  Is it possible that Israel is not looking to have peace in the region?

On the same day that Israel’s interior ministry announced plans to build 1,600 new apartment units in East Jerusalem, they also announced plans to develop civilian nuclear plants for energy.  This would be fine, except for the fact that Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates also would like to build civilian nuclear energy facilities, which Israel has condemned.  Look, I understand Israel’s concern.  Israel does not want any of these Arab countries to develop any kind of nuclear energy for fear of them developing a bomb.  But at the same time, it is extremely hypocritical and counterproductive to peace when you condemn all of your neighbors for the exact same thing that you are doing.  It’s just like the United States condemning everyone who tries to develop nuclear weapons, while at the same time stockpiling nuclear warheads.  I’m not suggesting we get rid of our nuclear weapons, and allow countries with questionable motives to develop them, but we need to cease stockpiling weapons and maybe cut down on our supply before we tell others what they can and can’t do.  Just recently, the United States pointed the finger at Brazil for doing business with Iran.  There are plenty of countries in the United States that currently do business with Iran, including the former Vice President Dick Cheney’s company Halliburton.  Can you see why the United States is losing its leverage against these countries?

Back to Israel, in my opinion, there are only two conclusions to draw from Israel’s recent actions.  The first, that Israel has no desire to achieve peace.  They are set on doing only that which is best for them, regardless of the consequences to anyone else, including their allies.  The second possibility, is that they know that the United States has no balls and will support Israel no matter what the consequences.  Like Vice President Joe Biden so wrongly put it, “Progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel.”  Israel believes that because they have unwavering support from the Unites States, they can continue to stir up the hornets’ nest without worry.  This policy is bad for the United States and for Israel.

I fully support Israel, I have members of my family who are Jewish, and I understand the Jewish peoples’ struggle throughout history.  That being said, the United States, as a friend, needs to take a harder line against Israel’s counterproductive and destructive actions.  The United States cannot afford another deadly conflict in the Middle East.  A war with Iran will have unpredictable consequences.  Israel continues to undermine the United States in its peace talks with Palestine, and in negotiations with Iran.  Keep in mind, there are many people in Israel who feel the same way, but the hard right wing in Israel is driving the country in the wrong direction.  In my opinion, the United States needs to convince Israel to back down, and let them know that the U.S. cannot support Israel if they continue down this destructive path.

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