Netanyahu thought tensions with the U.S. were under control, but Biden’s statement underscored the simmering diplomatic tensions the premier was hoping to allay
By Jonathan Lis, HAARETZ
U.S. President Joe Biden’s statement Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be invited anytime soon to the White House shocked and surprised the PM’s office and underscored the simmering diplomatic tensions the premier was hoping to allay.
While Netanyahu aides drew encouragement from Ambassador Tom Nides’ statement that the premier would be invited to the White House after Passover, Washington’s tone escalated throughout the day and culminated with what was perceived as a humiliating statement by Biden.
The president’s words reflected the U.S. administration’s concerns over Netanyahu’s control of his own government and doubts that the judicial coup is really off the table. At the heart of Biden’s statement, it seems, lies an assessment that the Israeli prime minister – who chooses to fire his defense minister and erect a national guard in the midst of the month of Ramadan – must be reined in.
In Biden’s statement, he reflects the heights to which the current crisis has reached between the two nations. From the day the government was formed, the Biden administration demanded that Netanyahu demonstrate that its policies are not set by his extremist ministers.
Time and time again, The U.S. urged Netanyahu to make good on his declaration that he would be the prime minister of “all Israelis.” In an unusual step, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. Mike Herzog was summoned by the State Department Tuesday after the government passed a law permitting the resettlement of illegal outposts evacuated in 2005.
Despite these consistent messages from Washington, a senior Israeli diplomatic source denied over the weekend the existence of a crisis between the countries. Speaking to reporters during Netanyahu’s visit to London, the official said this is not the first time the administration has tried to meddle in Israel’s internal affairs.
“They tried to remove Netanyahu from office twice before,” he said, adding that issuing clarifications (as Netanyahu was forced to do after passing the resettlement law) does not point to a deterioration in relations.
“We have reached a modus vivendi regarding the settlements,” he said. “They are fully aware and appreciate fully our efforts to prevent escalation in the West Bank.”
@Pdale5 “As my lawyer in Orlando once said to me: ‘If you have to suck a lemon, suck a small one”. That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year!
What do you expect from Bho III Adm!
We in Israel should stop bending over for a clearly anti-Israel Administration and in very strong ways, as pdale5 recommends.
I have no idea why anything that falls from the mouth of that demented fool in the White House should shock or surprise Netanyahu or why he should be angling for an invitation. Why would anyone in his right mind want to meet an intermittently sane president? Particularly one who, in his infrequent spells of sanity, is obviously anti-Israeli.
As for the concern that the writer says in Washington that Bibi would not rein in his extremist colleagues, the concern would be better directed at the dross infesting the upper echelons of the US Government.
The writer refers to a judicial coup. The coup occurred when Barak reset the relationship between the court and the politicians. Netanyahu is not instigating a coup; he is attempting to bring the political system back to the way it was supposed to operate. My only criticism is that Israeli politicians should have dealt with this matter in 1993. As my lawyer in Orlando once said to me: ‘If you have to suck a lemon, suck a small one’.
Also speaking of judicial coups, people should remember that the U.S. Constitution does not give the U.S. Supreme Court any power to overturn policies of the rest of the government. John Marshall, like Barak, grabbed that power and the Americans accepted it. The fact that the Americans accepted it doesn’t mean that anyone else should follow their example.
I have previously said here that the American ambassador should be sent packing. And so he should. The Israeli government might also want to consider recalling the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. for consultations– an act tantamount to the breaking of diplomatic relations. As for the Israeli consul who expressed support for the government’s opponents, he should be recalled immediately.
The Israeli government should immediately conduct an investigation into the financing of the protests. If, as I suspect, they were financed by NGO’s with money from George Soros, then the government is going to have to deal with Soros and I do mean deal with him–forcibly.
Biden and his whole administration is antisemitic. Until Biden is gone Israel needs to look elsewhere.
Biden is not an expert, at defining and defending a country’s borders.
Biden is just continuing Obama’s anti-Israel legacy. No surprise here.
Kick the American ambassador out of the country and don’t allow him to return until Biden apologizes. In fact don’t allow him to return period.
It may be time for Netanyahu to visit Russia & have dinner with Putin Instead.
The west,Britain The EU the Vichy like rogue government in Washington all have their knives out for The Jews!
Israel is an important country today,this is not 1960!
See what the other side has to offer.
As for Iran,I wouldn’t be surprised to find that the Russians have a tight leash on Tehran restraining the regime there
Netanyahu last not go to she Biden it is not Biden how ran America and they don’t like Israel ??
Nodes may be right after all. He didn’t say after passover thisyear.