Out in the Cold?

August 2021: Talks at the Biden White House (and Hamas seems to be left Out In The Cold). * * * WE (the LSW and I) NEED YOUR HELP!

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Lightning in a Bottle.

The New Israeli Prime Minister Faces an Old Israeli Problem. * * * WE (the LSW and I) NEED YOUR HELP!

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TO DONATE $50 or MORE BY CHECK (U.S. Tax DEDUCTIBLE)
1. Write a check to “REPORT, Inc.”
2. Write a cover note stating that these funds are to be directed to Dry Bones Project. Mail the Check and the accompanying cover letter to:
REPORT, Inc.
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Spring House, PA 19477
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Obama, Pollard, the Jews, and Joe Biden

The Story, breaking as I write this:

Biden: Pollard pardon over my dead body
"The NYT reported Saturday that in a recent meeting between Biden and 15 rabbis in Florida – meant to bolster the Jewish community's support of the presidential campaign – the vice president was asked about the Obama administration's reluctance to release Pollard, who was imprisoned in 1986, after he was convicted of spying for Israel.

“President Obama was considering clemency, but I told him, 'Over my dead body are we going to let him out before his time,'" Biden reportedly told the group. “If it were up to me, he would stay in jail for life.” (Ynet)

And more details here:

Biden prevented Pollard clemency, NYT reports
October 2, 2011
(JTA) -- "President Obama was considering clemency for convicted spy for Israel Jonathan Pollard until Vice President Joseph Biden prevented it, the New York Times reported.

“President Obama was considering clemency, but I told him, ‘Over my dead body are we going to let him out before his time,’ ” Biden said during a meeting with rabbis in Boca Raton, Fla., according to the newspaper. “If it were up to me, he would stay in jail for life,” he reportedly added.

Pollard was sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for spying for Israel. He is scheduled for mandatory parole in November 2015. In recent months, Obama has received a flood of appeals from Congress members and former government officials to grant Pollard clemency.

Pollard recently successfully underwent kidney-related surgery.

Obama is relying on Biden for help in his reelection campaign with American-Jewish voters, the New York Times article said." -more

The Response

According to the Australian:

Benjamin Netanyahu and aides in desperate effort to appease US

ISRAEL'S inner cabinet is trying to formulate a response that will satisfy the Obama administration as a way to restart the Middle East peace process.

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held marathon meetings with the six most powerful ministers to come up with a course of action that will satisfy the US, particularly Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In a 43-minute phone call this week between Mrs Clinton and Mr Netanyahu, a fiery Secretary of State demanded that Israel reply to questions following the visit to Israel of US Vice-President Joe Biden." -more

* * * I got this cartoon idea from a comment left on the blog ...from someone who identified himself as "anonymous".

Family Relationship

The American administration has managed to create a unique situation out of housing in the Jerusalem municipality.

If Bibi backs down, his political position ...and our security situation will be seriously damaged.

If Obama backs down, his international standing ...and America's diplomatic reputation will be seriously damaged.

What we have now is a "lose-lose" situation.

Green Light ?

According to the Sidney Morning Herald:

"The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, was set to withdraw from all peace talks with Israel last night after the announcement this week that 1600 apartments would be added to Jewish settlements in occupied East Jerusalem.

The announcement enraged the visiting US Vice-President, Joe Biden, who has told the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, that it was liable to ''set the Middle East on fire''.

Mr Biden blames Mr Netanyahu for the decision, telling officials on Wednesday that the United States' close relationship with Israel was jeopardising its other bilateral relationships across the region.

''This is starting to get dangerous for us,'' he reportedly castigated Israeli officials. ''What you're doing here undermines the security of our troops who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. That endangers us and it endangers regional peace." -more

Your thoughts?

Solidarity

Reaction here in Israel to the announcement that President Obama is sending his Vice President to Israel is split.

Some of us believe that he's coming to pressure us to not get too upset about the Iranian nuclear threat. Others figure that he's coming to show solidarity with us.

A tiny minority of us are just eager for a chance to hear one of Biden's famous mis-statement flubs while he's here.

Obviously I'm in the third category.