State of the Union

Well, that was brief.? No, not Nikki Haley’s campaign.? I’m referring to President Biden’s State of the Union remarks.? Here are a few thoughts on the President’s speech as it relates to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.? In between “Pass universal background checks!” and dancing on China, here’s what we learned (or merely confirmed):

1.????? President Biden pledged to return the American hostages.

“We will not rest until we bring their loved ones home”.?

?In 2022, President Biden released a prisoner so gentle he was nicknamed the “Merchant of Death” in exchange for American Brittany Griner.? Viktor Bout funded actual genocide, like when he armed former Liberian President and war criminal Charles Taylor.? Israel was reportedly ready to release ten (!) Palestinians convicted of serious terrorism charges in exchange for each of the remaining hostages.? What is President Biden willing to pay to bring home the six Americans held hostage by Hamas??

(I like that Biden mentioned the first names of two Americans being held captive in Russia for political reasons – Evan Gershkovich (also a Jew!) and Paul Whelan.? Let’s also say Edan, Hersh, Omer, Keith, Sagui and Itai.)? ??

2.????? Americans murdered in Israel draw less sympathy than Americans killed elsewhere.

Thirty two Americans were murdered on October 7 in Israel.? The Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 claimed thirty three victims.? The Hindenburg disaster killed thirty six.? On February 7th, Emmanuel Macron held a memorial ceremony in Paris for the 42 French citizens who were murdered in Israel.? Hats off to President Biden for acknowledging the 1,200 innocent people slaughtered.? But the United States would do well to recognize that October 7 was an American tragedy and honor the American victims of mass terror.?

3.????? President Biden missed his chance to describe his expectations for a Palestinian state.

?“The only real solution is a two-state solution.? There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live with peace and dignity.”

?A joint poll from December 2022 put support for a “two-state solution” at 33% among Palestinians and 34% among Israeli Jews.? At the end of October 2023, those numbers dropped to 24% and 29%.? Ignore for a moment the unlikely success of trying to fit not one, but two, square pegs into not one, but two, round holes.?

President Biden could have significantly advanced the cause of Palestinian statehood by acknowledging the tremendous international investment that will be required to create, develop and support Palestinian civil society.? Whether in 1948, 1994 or 2024, the success of a Palestinian state will depend upon its citizens’ capacity for self-government, which will require extraordinary international support.? That and ending its obsessive and deranged formal education of Jew hatred, which begins before kindergarten. ?Absent the development of non-corrupt, Western-oriented, leadership – which will require more support from the American, Europe and the Arab world than they collectively might be capable of – a Palestinian state will look like Jordan in the best of circumstances.? Worst case – it will look like Gaza.?

?4.????? America remains wary of foreign intervention. President Biden isn’t going to change that.

“No U.S. boots will be on the ground.

After announcing that he directed the U.S. military to build a pier off Gaza to receive shipments of food, water and medicine, President Biden effective dispatched Israel to ensure its safe delivery and to guarantee that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the crossfire.? Noble effort.? Six Americans are being held hostage in tunnels beneath Gaza.? Imagine for a moment if American boots actually were on the ground.? In any other situation, we would be begging to go in (or blowing stuff up and just going in).? ??

5.????? Notice the difference in how President Biden talks about Ukraine versus Israel.?

“History is watching.? If the United States walks away now, it will put Ukraine at risk.? Europe at risk.? The free world at risk, emboldening others who wish to do us harm.? My message to President Putin is simple.? We will not walk away. We will not bow down. I will not bow down.”

History is watching, Mr. President.? If the United States walks way now, it will put Israel at risk.? Egypt at risk.? Lebanon at risk.? Saudi Arabia at risk.? It will also put America at risk.? My message for Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar is simple.? We will not walk away.? The Israeli people will not bow down.? We will not bow down.? I will not bow down.?

Was that so hard??

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6.????? President Biden needs to confront Iran head on, and won’t.?

?“Creating stability in the Middle East also means containing the threat posed by Iran.”

?Iran is the first, second and third obstacle to broader peace and security in the Middle East – it’s not a multiple choice test.? The only way that American can measure the success of its bombardment of Yemen is by its deterrent impact on Iranian behavior.? Judging by today’s Houthi attack on the Barbados-flagged True Confidence that killed of its crew members, President Biden needs a Plan B, and fast.? Global trade can’t be held hostage (literally) to a ragtag army dressed in baseball caps and sandals.? Left uncontrolled, the current conflict will soon evolve into a full blown war in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah continues to take advantage of Israel’s focus in Gaza, forcing the complete abandonment of many communities in northern Israel.? President Biden needs to deal with the head of the snake before the conflict grows even wider.? ????????

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