http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ami-kaufman/by-george-i-think-the-pal_b_494497.html
P.S. Just a few more words on Biden There's not much else to say about Israel announcing the construction of more housing units in East Jerusalem during Vice President Joe Biden's visit. All the usual phrases have already been used: slap in the face, humiliation and so on. As an Israeli, this is infuriating. The excuses make it even worse. When Netanyahu says that the "timing of the announcement was horrible", what exactly was he thinking? That there's a GOOD time to announce building in East Jerusalem? And what's even worse than that, are the excuses along the lines of I wasn't aware of the announcement". A prime minister shouldn't be too proud to show that he's not exactly running a tight ship, to say the least. But the most disappointing, maddening part of this was Biden's light slap on Israel's wrist. That's all? We're going to get away with it? Again?!?! If I was an American watching Biden's little reprimand on TV, I'd be mad at Israel - but even more embarrassed with the overwhelming weakness shown by the U.S. Vice President and the administration he represents.
P.S. Just a few more words on Biden
There's not much else to say about Israel announcing the construction of more housing units in East Jerusalem during Vice President Joe Biden's visit. All the usual phrases have already been used: slap in the face, humiliation and so on.
As an Israeli, this is infuriating. The excuses make it even worse. When Netanyahu says that the "timing of the announcement was horrible", what exactly was he thinking? That there's a GOOD time to announce building in East Jerusalem? And what's even worse than that, are the excuses along the lines of I wasn't aware of the announcement". A prime minister shouldn't be too proud to show that he's not exactly running a tight ship, to say the least.
But the most disappointing, maddening part of this was Biden's light slap on Israel's wrist. That's all? We're going to get away with it? Again?!?!
If I was an American watching Biden's little reprimand on TV, I'd be mad at Israel - but even more embarrassed with the overwhelming weakness shown by the U.S. Vice President and the administration he represents.
The article itself is really good. One important message it carries: don't rely on the Americans. Go Europe.
HELEN THOMAS: I'm sure the President is aware that it's against international law to annex occupied land. Why do we keep giving, as Vice President Biden did, iron-clad commitments to Israel when it violates international law? And the President says that our relationship is unshakable. How can that be?
GIBBS: Well, we enjoy a strong and important relationship with the country and the people of Israel. And we are -
HELEN THOMAS: Even when it violates the law? I mean, you go into this whole thing -- why should they be -- get this reprieve?
GIBBS: Well, again, we enjoy a strong relationship with the country and the people. We are committed to their security in a very important and dangerous -
HELEN THOMAS: How about the Palestinian security?
VIDEO
h/t Mattes
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
