[Peace-discuss] Biden to right of Bush on Israel/Iran

[C. G. Estabrook]

"Recent reports from Washington have suggested that some members of the Bush 
administration were urging Israel not to attack Iran over its growing nuclear 
program. When asked whether an Obama administration would support Israel if it 
felt such action was necessary, Biden said, 'It's not a question for us to tell 
Israel what they can and cannot do.'"


	The Jerusalem Post Internet Edition
	Biden backs Israel, criticizes AIPAC
	Sep. 3, 2008
	HILARY LEILA KRIEGER, 'Post' correspondent MINNEAPOLIS

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden said Wednesday that Israel 
should be able to take whatever action it feels necessary to defend itself from 
Iran, pressing his Israel credentials even as he lashed out at AIPAC and those 
who have criticized his record toward the Jewish state.

"Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. It doesn't have to ask us," 
Biden, a Delaware senator and Barack Obama's running mate, said in response to a 
question from The Jerusalem Post during a conference call with Jewish media.

Biden was in Florida stumping for Jewish votes while the Republican National 
Convention took place in this Midwestern city. Meanwhile, Sarah Palin, who was 
set to accept the nomination to be the GOP vice presidential candidate after 
press time Wednesday, visited with AIPAC members here to reassure them of her 
commitment to Israel.

Recent reports from Washington have suggested that some members of the Bush 
administration were urging Israel not to attack Iran over its growing nuclear 
program. When asked whether an Obama administration would support Israel if it 
felt such action was necessary, Biden said, "It's not a question for us to tell 
Israel what they can and cannot do."

Biden also harshly criticized those who have suggested he has an inconsistent 
record on Israel. The Republican Jewish Coalition has been broadcasting votes 
and resolutions in Congress that Biden did not support despite being backed in 
many cases by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

"They think they know the Senate better than I do. They don't know the Senate 
better than I do," he said.

Biden lashed out at those who would impugn his Israel credentials, saying, "I 
take a backseat to no one - including AIPAC - when it comes to supporting Israel."

"They don't speak for the entire Jewish community. There are other organizations 
that are just as strong and consequential," he said. "AIPAC does not speak for 
the State of Israel."

Biden pointed out that he had supported Israel in cases when it wasn't always 
popular - like defending its right to use cluster bombs in the 1980s - and that 
he has been recognized by many Jewish organizations for his support for the 
Jewish State.

"Joe Biden is a strong supporter of the US-Israel relationship," said AIPAC 
spokesman Josh Block in response to Biden's statements.

"He's been a staunch supporter of US aid to Israel, a leader in the fight 
against Palestinian terrorism and is a vocal advocate of the special 
relationship between the two democracies," he continued. "We look forward to 
continuing to work with him in the Senate or the White House," should he win.

"Barack Obama and Joe Biden have both enjoyed close and effective cooperation 
with AIPAC over many years, grounded in their respect for its important mission 
to support Israel''s security and a strong US-Israel relationship," Obama 
spokeswoman Wendy Morigi said in a statement released later Wednesday.

"That is a mission they share, and they look forward to continuing to work 
closely with AIPAC on their common goals."

In the conference hall, Biden stressed that he and AIPAC shared the same goals 
but that differences on "tactics" had led him to not sign on to certain measures 
the Israel lobby has supported, such as the Kyl-Lieberman amendment to designate 
the Iran Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organization.

Biden described the group as a terrorist organization but said his opposition to 
the measure on the grounds that the Bush administration already had the 
authority to make such a designation, and that he was concerned backing the text 
would be interpreted by the White House as enabling a military confrontation 
with Iran.

"This opened the door to an attack on Iran at a time when we were bogged down in 
Iraq," he explained. " I wasn't about to give them a pretext to go to war."

Tougher sanctions and more engagement is needed in the effort to prevent Iran 
from acquiring a nuclear weapon, Biden said. At the same time, he argued that 
some of the rhetoric used against Iran wasn't helpful.

"We have to stop making Iran into this 12-foot giant they are not," he said, 
adding that the more they were portrayed as such, "the more that we undercut our 
own self-interest."

He also stated that an Obama administration would strive to be a "catalyst" for 
a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and would not oppose 
negotiations with Syria as the Bush administration had. He also urged a tougher 
line with Saudi Arabia, saying that if his party wins the presidential election, 
the kingdom would be pressured to take overt steps toward Israel.

Those familiar with the closed-door meeting Palin held with AIPAC on Tuesday 
expressed satisfaction with the support and affection Palin had expressed for 
the Jewish state. The more than 30-minute meeting took place here amid her 
efforts to draft the speech which will introduce her to much of the American 
public, who like many in the pro-Israel community knew little about the Alaskan 
governor when she was tapped last week to be John McCain's running mate.

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut), who endorsed McCain at the GOP convention 
Tuesday night despite having been the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 
2000, also participated in Palin's meeting with AIPAC.

"We had a good, productive discussion on the importance of the US-Israel 
relationship, and we were pleased that Governor Palin expressed her deep 
personal commitment to the safety and well-being of Israel," Block said. "Now 
that both the Democrats and the Republicans have determined their respective 
tickets, AIPAC is pleased that the parties have selected four pro-Israel 
candidates. In doing so, they have reaffirmed the broad, bipartisan support that 
exists in our country for a strong US-Israel relationship."

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