Biden: Israel's House Demolition Policy Is 'Collective Punishment' [View all]
Source: Haaretz
Vice President Joe Biden called on Israel to stop the demolition of homes of terrorists' families, which he described as “collective punishment.” Biden also criticized expansion of Jewish settlements “in the West Bank and East Jerusalem” and called on the government to do more to stop “vigilante justice” attacks against Palestinians.
Biden was speaking at a noon plenary on Saturday at the Brookings Institution’s Saban Forum being held at the Willard Hotel in Washington DC. His speech ignored the upcoming elections, focusing instead on America’s bedrock support for Israel and the “tactical disagreements” that “should be honestly discussed between friends.”
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Biden’s speech included his usual gushing expressions of love and support for Israel and for Prime Minister Netanyahu “although we drive each other crazy.” But Biden’s speech was also notable for its carefully worded formulations of U.S. policy which he read from prepared text and which were likely composed in close consultation with the White House.
Biden spent much of his time discussing the talks with Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program: He described as “malarkey” any notion that he or Obama would allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. But while he estimated that the chances for an accord were “less than even”, he insisted that a “good deal” that would make the world safer is entirely possible.
Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.630347
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