Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumBiden calls Sanders' pitch to leverage Israel aid 'bizarre'
OELWEIN, IOWA - Joe Biden said Saturday that it is "bizarre" for Bernie Sanders to propose withholding U.S. military aid from Israel if the government there doesn't moderate its treatment of Palestinians.
The remarks highlight a nuanced but significant distinction between the Democratic presidential contenders. Biden and Sanders support a "two-state solution" for Israel and the Palestinians, and both men have criticized political leaders on each side of the long-standing conflict. But Biden's take, offered during a question-and-answer session with Iowa voters, hewed a more traditional U.S. establishment line by reaffirming a financial commitment to Israel regardless of its actions toward Palestinians.
The former vice president, while casting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "counterproductive" and "extreme right" leader and accused Palestinian leaders of ``fomenting'' the conflict and ``baiting everyone who is Jewish,'' while suggesting that some on the U.S. political left give the Palestinian Authority ``a pass'' when criticizing Israeli leadership.
"In terms of Bernie and others who talk about dealing with Zionism, I strongly support Israel as an independent Jewish state,'' Biden said in rural northeastern Iowa. He added, ``The idea that I'd withdraw military aid, as others have suggested, from Israel, is bizarre. I would not do that. It's like saying to France, `Because you don't agree with us, we're going to kick you out of NATO.''
Read more: https://www.voanews.com/usa/us-politics/biden-calls-sanders-pitch-leverage-israel-aid-bizarre
(Voice of America)
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OldRed2450
(710 posts)Last edited Sun Dec 8, 2019, 09:26 AM - Edit history (1)
I am critical of Israel 's government all the time but I think Sander, Ihlan Omar and others take it too far. Especially when they call for withholding aid to Israel but vote no on sanctions for Turkey.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
oldsoftie
(12,587 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Happy Hoosier
(7,376 posts)Quid Pro Quos in diplomacy are FINE so long as the benefit is furthers the NATIONAL interest, not a personal interest.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,335 posts)Anyone who doesnt understand that has zero understanding of the way our diplomacy works. Do people really think we spend that money out of the goodness of our hearts?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
redqueen
(115,103 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
myohmy2
(3,175 posts)...Biden keeps taking pot-shots at Bernie then we might have to take the gloves off and respond in kind...
...everyone's been going pretty easy on Joe lest we all be accused of doing trump's impeachment dirty-work...
...but that can only go so far...
...it looks to me like Joe's either itching for a fight or is taking advantage of the situation...
...either way...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)....that Biden says, every move he makes, every gesture. Have you seen what Turner, Gray, and Sirota have been doing?
I'm surprised no one attacked him yesterday because he took the hand of a 100-year old woman and held it tightly.
C'mon man!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(49,029 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
beastie boy
(9,408 posts)Looking forward to more anti-Biden stuff from Bernie's surrogates to ignore.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TexasTowelie
(112,386 posts)That will definitely influence people to vote for Bernie.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
W_HAMILTON
(7,871 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
"everyone's been going pretty easy on Joe"
That's one of the funniest things I've ever read on DU.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,574 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,574 posts)VP Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Happy Hoosier
(7,376 posts)I keep seeing Sanders surrogates and campaign staffers taking shots all the time.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(49,029 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,496 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
tritsofme
(17,398 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The Valley Below
(1,701 posts)Bizarre timing, to put it mildly.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
aikoaiko
(34,183 posts)Talk about bizarre.
SMDH
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
oasis
(49,401 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden