THE NEW YORK TIMES There has been a lot of discussion in recent weeks about the age of Joe Biden. He is old. But do you know what age brings other than walking slower and forgetting words? Wisdom particularly in terms of how to handle highstakes diplomatic encounters without screwing it up (or letting things go wrong before you want them to). And I think I saw that in the personal meeting between the American president and the Israeli prime minister. Benjamin Netanyahuon Wednesday, in New York.
The meeting depressed many Israeli reporters and Israelis I know because Netanyahu told everyone afterwards how warm and friendly the meeting was. And Biden talked about the unbreakable bonds between them US and that Jewish state. Many Israelis loathe Netanyahu so much that they want Biden to rebuke the judicial coup he carried out and when that doesn’t happen, they view the meeting as a major missed opportunity.
Yes, yes, I understand, I told you. But haven’t you seen it? I asked her.
What? They answered me.
The picture shows the handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu (left) and US President Joe Biden (right) on the 20th of this month. Photo: Susan Walsh / AP
Although Biden has publicly put his right arm around Netanyahu’s shoulder precisely to defuse any Republican attack as too harsh on Israel I heard that the president used his left hand to reach into his pocket, so to speak. a homework assignment from Bibi’s jacket. It was like a magician at work; We have to watch the replay in double slow motion to see the trick.
And do you know what the homework told you? My research mainly suggests the following:
“Bibi, do you want this agreement that would normalize relations between the two? Israel It is Saudi Arabia. I want too. But to get this deal, I have to do something really difficult: make a mutual defense pact with the Saudis and perhaps agree to some kind of civilian nuclear program for the kingdom under strict control. The Saudi leader, the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, it will also have to do something really difficult: normalize relations between the nation that is home to Islam’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, and the Jewish state. And you’re going to have to do something really hard now too.”
“You must agree to terms for the normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia that require you to demonstrably contain Jewish colonial settlements in the West Bank, improve the living conditions and freedom of movement of Palestinians living there, and increase Palestinian control over more populated areas of the West Bank territory, as established by the Oslo Accords, and agree in principle to take steps along a path that maintains the twostate solution, even if its coalition government’s pact favors annexation. Well, Bibi, as your esteemed, warm and close friend, I would never tell you how to conduct your politics let alone demand that you blow up your crazy coalition by agreeing to terms that the farright Jewish racists in yours Cabinet do would never swallow. No, I would never do that. That would be interference in your politics. That would be wrong. I’m just telling you, Bibi, that you need to do some homework, my dear, warm and close friend. And you have to complete the order in the next few weeks.”
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It was a master class in how an American president places a fateful decision in the hands of an Israeli leader a decision that represents the most poignant challenge in that Israeli leader’s political career. That means either end the extremist cabinet you formed to stay out of prison and replace it with a coalition of national unity or end the chance for peace with Saudi Arabia, which paved the way for the State of Israel to do so could be accepted by the entire Muslim world.
And Biden did all this by making himself look like what he really is one of the best friends Israel has ever had while defusing any backlash in the US.
Therefore, I am not participating in the debate about whether Biden is too old for reelection or not. I’m just telling you that age and experience are your best qualities when it comes to diplomacy.
By the way, I’m a bit old too I just turned 70. But I still see perfectly. And the good thing about being old and still able to see well is that I don’t need instant replay to see a diplomatic wizard in action. / TRANSLATION BY GUILHERME RUSSO