Biden in Israel: Day 2

David Streeter — March 9, 2010 – 2:14 pm | Barack Obama | Foreign Policy | Israel Comments (0) Add a comment

On the second day of his visit to Israel, Vice President Joe Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Shimon Peres. The words of the leaders of both countries echoed the fact that the United States and Israel remain on the same page with respect to the critical security issues that Israel faces.

Before Biden’s meeting with Peres, Biden declared:

”... there’s absolutely no space between the United States and Israel in terms of Israel’s security and our mutual security—none, none at all.”

Biden also stated before his meeting with Peres that, in addition to standing with Israel on Iran—  which Peres declared “we have trust in President Obama” on—  the United States stands against efforts to “isolate Israel” in the global community.

During his press conference with Netanyahu, Biden told the Prime Minister:

”... the cornerstone of the [US-Israel] relationship—the cornerstone of the relationship is our absolute, total, unvarnished commitment to Israel’s security. Bibi, you heard me say before, progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel. There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel’s security. And for that reason, and many others, addressing Iran’s nuclear program has been of—one of our administration’s priorities.

“We’re determined—we’re determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. And we’re working with many countries around the world to convince Tehran to meet its international obligations and cease and desist. Iran must also curb its other destabilizing actions in the region, well beyond their desire to acquire nuclear weapons. And that is their continued support for terrorist groups that threaten Israel, and I might add, our interests as well.”

Biden also affirmed America’s support for the peace process and the recently announced proximity talks:

“Mr. Prime Minister, the United States will always stand with those who take risks for peace.  And you’re prepared to do that.  And I am hopeful.  And I’ll be having discussions with Palestinian leaders.  It is my hope and expectation that they will be prepared, as well.’”

Netanyahu praised Biden and echoed Peres’ comments when he stated:

“I very much appreciate the efforts of President Obama and the American government to lead the international community to place tough sanctions on Iran. ...

“The stronger those sanctions are, the more likely it will be that the Iranian regime will have to chose between advancing its nuclear program and advancing the future of its own permanence.”

 

Tomorrow Biden will meet with Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, The Quartet’s Envoy on the Middle East, and then travel to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the peace process.  

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