Posted on 11/11/2014 4:45:12 AM PST by SJackson
The vice president tried to clear the air in an address to Jewish Federations of North America Monday.
November 10, 2014 Vice President Joe Biden sought to smooth over U.S.-Israeli relations Monday in an address to the the Jewish Federations of North America.
Nearly two weeks after a senior Obama administration official called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "a chickenshit" in an interview with The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg, Biden attempted to play down the scuffles that have characterized the leaders' relationship in recent months. He described the two countries' rapport clearly in his signature, colloquial style.
"Like all close friends, we talk honestly to one another," Biden said. "We disagree with one another. We love one another, and we drive one another crazy. That is what friends do."
Biden joked that he once signed a picture for "Bibi" that said, "I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I love ya."
"We really are good friends," Biden said of their relationship. "He has been a great, great friend."
Biden reminded the Jewish community that the U.S. government remained committed to preserving Israel's strength in a region where its mere existence is still threatened.
"We will never ever abandon Israel out of our own self-interests," Biden said candidly.
As chatter circulates that the relationship between Israel and the United States is splintering, Biden cited the economic investments the Obama administration has made in the Jewish state, including a $3 billion investment earlier this year to help Israel build up its military presence. Biden called the administration's contribution to Israel's antimissile defense system, the Iron Dome, "the physical manifestation of President Obama and my position that Israel has a right to defend herself as we would."
The relationship between the U.S. and Israel has been tenuous for some time, exacerbated by the Obama administration's attempts to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran. Monday, Biden had to remind Israeli leaders that the U.S. is not seeking a negotiation with Iran at Israel's expense.
"I have heard so much malarkey about our position on Iran," Biden said. "We will not let Iran acquire a nuclear weapon, period. I would not put my 42-year reputation on the line if I were not certain when I say it. We mean it."
Netanyahu has been opposed to the diplomacy between Iran and the U.S. from the onset. In recent months, he's escalated his rhetoric for his own political preservation, and The Atlantic reported that he threatened to bypass Obama and take any dissatisfaction he finds with an agreement straight to his allies on Capitol Hill.
The frustration, however, runs both ways. The Obama administration has been displeased with Netanyahu's commitment to expanding settlements in East Jerusalem. The State Department has said that the prime minister's actions undermine the potential for peace in the region.
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I've never spoken about or to a friend they was the administration speaks about Netanyahu and Israel. Of course I'm hard put to think of a friend who is a coward, or who I'd speak of to others in that manner. A cowardly act. I guess Joe just runs in different circles.
Yet that's EXACTLY what Obama has been threatening to do in the UN security counsel.
Friends do not steal other friend’s capitols
and arm murderers to KILL their friend’s families.
There is BLOOD all over the hands of the VP and his
Indonesian Tyrant by his, and Pelosi’s, fraud.
‘”We will never ever abandon Israel out of our own self-interests,” Biden said candidly.’
LOL, really? Its amazing they let Joe talk to reporters....ever. Guess it would raise red flags if they kept him in a straight jacket hidden away in a closet. If I was Israel I’d take that as a ‘you’re on your own’ type statement.
Friends don’t fight once you’re beyond the age of, oh, 17 or so. Plus, you’re not a friend for long when you help your friend’s enemy harm your friend.
The US and Israel are friends.
Barack Obama and Israel are not friends.
Obama hates Israel almost as much as he hates the United States of America.
Exactly. Giving material aid to the mortal enemy of your “friend” is NOT “Disagreement among friends”... It’s stabbing in the back.
Et tu, Plugs.
I hope some conservative journalists keep this statement, so it can be used when Obama lets Iran go nuclear, probably in the next year or so.
Jewish Federations? That’s Joe preaching to the choir. Kabuki theater.
Biden prove again that he is a MORON. Biden, Obama, the first Anti Israeli Muslim Occupier of the White House, hates Israel.
Does one friend insult the other friend over and over and over again?
Obama is a communist, and sometimes communists can be constructive... but usually not.
Yea, except if you get in a fight and need to re-arm don't call us.
Joe Biden is a drunk.
This libtard should be removed from office with a meat hook!
Another islamist facilitator.
NOW they want to be friends now that they got their butts handed to them at the elections by a large percentage of Christian voters who support Israel. You can count on more back pedalling and lies and deception to come...
Someone let Joe out of the attic again.
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