Israel Update Week Ending July 15
Biden Visits Israel
NOTE: Next week, there will be no Israel Update. We are going on Vacation! In two weeks, we hope to unveil a slightly revised format of this newsletter under the title: “Tel Aviv Diary.”
PRESIDENT BIDEN VISITS
News in Israel this week has been dominated by the visit of President Biden. For days before Biden arrived on Wednesday afternoon, his upcoming visit dominated the news cycle. I was optimistic the President would have a good visit but tried to limit my expectations. Here, you can see my Wednesday morning interview before Air Force One landed at Ben Gurion Airport.
I believe Biden’s visit generally lived up to expectations. If I had to summarize the visit in a few words, I would say it was “warm and fuzzy,” with little drama. Air Force One arrived on time — and I must say, there is no plane quite like it. Its majestic colors have become a symbol of America. Thankfully, Biden has reversed Trump’s plan to change the colors of the next iteration of the plane, which is currently close to completion.
As Air Force One taxied to a stop, cabinet members and former Prime Minister Netanyahu waited in a special stand stationed on the runway. It was extremely hot and sunny on the tarmac. Netanyahu was seated between Labor Party Head Merav Michaeli, and Nitzan Horowitz, Head of Meretz. At some point, Michaeli tried to find a tissue for Netanyahu to wipe his sweaty brow. She took a tissue from Minister Yoaz Hendel, who was sitting behind them. Netanyahu turned to Hendel to thank him, and Hendel told Netanyahu not to worry, he could rest assured the tissue had never been used.
After landing, short speeches were delivered by President Biden, President Herzog, and PM Lapid. Biden, once again, shared he has always said a person need not be Jewish to be a Zionist. He had earlier related the story of growing up in a very Catholic home, where discussions took place at the dinner table about the fact nothing had been done to save the Jews of Europe during the Holocaust, and the impact those moral lessons had on him. Then, a group photo was taken with all of the ministers is attendance.
Defense Minister Gantz then brought Biden to inspect the various parts of Israel’s multilayer missile defense system. The star of the show was Israel's latest innovation — its laser brand new defense system. President Biden was suitably impressed, and referred to the project in subsequent addresses. Biden made clear that the US would work with Israel to make the system operational for Israel and the US Army.
Biden’s next stop was at Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial museum. Biden has visited Yad Vashem several times — so much so, that Danny Dayan, Director of Yad Vashem, disclosed that Biden had been there so many times, the President himself could be a guide. After the ceremony, Biden met with two Holocaust survivors who are also American citizens. The pair of elderly women tried to get up to greet him, but in an exceptionally moving gesture, Biden dropped to one knee, to get down close to speak with them
.The President’s first full day began with a group meeting between the American and Israeli delegations, which then became a one-on-one meeting between the two Heads of State.
Thursday morning, I appeared on i24’s Arabic language News to share my views on the summit. Although he was not, one of the other guests who joined the broadcast via Skype sounded like a spokesman for Hezbollah, mainly when we discussed the speech delivered by Nasrallah on Wednesday, (in which the Hezbollah leader threatened action against Israel if its demand on gas exploration is not met).
Of course, Nasrallah is just trying to change the subject of discourse away from the horrendous economic situation in Lebanon. But Nasrallah even went as far as to say that if the country (Lebanon) is genuinely coming apart at the seams, it would be more honorable to go out in a war. The guest justified Nasrallah’s statements and asserted Nasrallah is the only one looking out for the Lebanese people's interests. At that moment, I made eye contact with the anchor. We both shook our heads and smiled at the absurdity of his comment.
However, there was one other thing in what the guest said that particularly struck me. He spoke about how Israel has become the representative of the US in the Middle East, and if Arab dictators (his words) want access to US technology, they would have to get it through Israel. The other guest’s contention is fundamentally incorrect. The world has changed. Countries are not interested in obtaining US tech through Israel. Instead, it is Israeli tech they want. In many areas — especially defense products — Israeli tech is more advanced than US systems, and that is what the Gulf States desire.
On Thursday afternoon, an extraordinary meeting was held between Biden, Lapid, Indian President Modi, and UAE's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The principals' discussion in the 2-on-2 initiative spoke about their work to solve specific world problems in food security, climate change, and renewable energy. The meeting underscored the unique new role Israel is beginning to assume in the world, using its technological skill, experience and innovation to partner with countries to solve massive problems.
Lapid and Biden then met for a one-on-one meeting, after which they held a joint press conference, and officially unveiled the Jerusalem US Israel-Strategic Partnership Declaration. The declaration contains all the standard US commitments to Israel's security and the US pledges to maintain Israel's qualitative lead over its adversaries. The document also states, in black and white, that Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
In an interview with Israel TV, Biden made a little news when he, once again, said that the use of force would be employed if necessary, but it would be a last resort. Biden made it clear he prefers a diplomatic solution. However, I believe the Iranians do not want one, so it is most likely that no deal will be coming.
Then, there was the announcement by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan which revealed that Iran was selling Russia a large number of UAV’s to assist Russia for use in its invasion of Ukraine. Beyond the head scratching idea that Russia needs to buy technology from Iran, the sale creates a clear new axis of evil, between Russia and Iran. This sale is underscored by Putin’s planned visit to Iran. On some levels, this revelation is good news for Israel, as it strengthens Israel’s position vis-a-vis Iran in the United States and Europe. On the other hand, closer Russian-Iranian relations are never a good thing, regardless of how weakened Russia has become.
At the joint Press Conference, Biden stressed his hopes for further integration of Israel into the region. Lapid was forced to answer a question regarding his position on the two-state solution. The interim Prime Minister clearly stated he believes the creation of two states is the only way to ensure Israel remains both Jewish and democratic.
There is some light between the US and Israeli positions on Iran. First, the US is wary of setting fixed deadlines at which point it will say that JCOPA is dead; while Israel is pushing for that realization. Second, with the US commitment to help Ukraine in its fight to defend itself from the Russian invasion, Biden is reluctant to set any deadlines that might escalate into a confrontation.
It should be noted that the Jerusalem Declaration includes an explicit US commitment to work with Israel on the new laser defense system.
Following the joint Declaration and a quick lunch stop at his Hotel, Biden continued to the President's residence for a meeting with Herzog. Upon his arrival, the unmistakable warmth between the two men was extremely evident. The pair even discussed their joint Irish roots. After the audience with Herzog, Biden met for a short meeting with Head of the Opposition, Netanyahu, who called on Biden to develop a military option against Iran
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Biden concluded the day at the opening ceremony of the Maccabiah games (considered the Jewish Olympics), where the President met with the US team. These games are a massive undertaking, the second largest sports event in the world. To give some proportion, the Summer Olympics include 11,000 players, while 9,000 athletes compete in the Maccabiah games.
What was hardly mentioned during Biden’s time in Israel was the Palestinians. The President made it clear from the start that while he supports the two-state solution, he does not expect any significant breakthroughs in the near term. As a result, this summit was a no-drama, mushy love fest between an American President who has been a lifelong supporter of Israel, who still remembers his father talking about the Holocaust, together with an Israeli government interested in deepening US-Israeli ties — especially with Democrats.
This morning (Friday), Biden visited Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem. The hospital serves the Palestinians both in East Jerusalem and throughout the West Bank and Gaza. When he arrived, Biden spoke about the connection between his Irish heritage and Palestinians, in that both had a long struggle for freedom. The President cited an Irish poet who talks about how time, hope and history rhyme and his wish that will soon come to pass for the Palestinians.
Biden spoke at length about the importance of nurses. He described both the time his wife and baby daughter were killed, and how it was the nurses who nursed his sons back to health. Biden also talked about the times his life was saved by brain surgery. While Biden did announce a $100 million grant to the East Jerusalem hospitals, the President’s speech clearly avoided almost all political matters.
Biden’s final stop was a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem. After a private meeting, the two leaders made separate announcements to the press. Abbas gave his standard speech demanding an end to the occupation, and saying only that could bring about peace. Biden acknowledged the suffering of the Palestinian people and reiterated the importance of fostering a political horizon. The President assured that the United States stands ready to work with Israelis, Palestinians, and regional stakeholders toward that goal. Biden also called for greater transparency and less corruption in the Palestinian Authority. The President pledged an additional $200 million in aid for UNRWA.
As I send this out this weekly news summary, Biden is headed to Saudi Arabia. A deal has already been reached and announced detailing the next stage in the slow warming relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The Saudis will now allow unlimited flights of Israeli planes over the Kingdom to the Far East. This will save over three hour of flying time. The Kingdom will also now enable Israeli Muslims to fly directly from Israel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. Other relations between the two countries are deepening, quietly, behind the scenes.
POLITICS
Prime Minister Gantz's Blue and White Party has merged with Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar’s New Hope party. Gantz and Sa’ar aspire to create a significant center-right party that could siphon votes from the Likud. Gantz also wishes to become Israel’s next Prime Minister. One of the ways they are working toward that goal is by excluding Yoaz Hendel from the new party. Communications Minister Hendel has been doing an excellent job, overseeing a rapid deployment of fiber optics throughout the country, after a multi-year delay. However, Hendel has angered the ultra-Orthodox, by reforming the system for “kosher phones” so that phone numbers will now be portable. As a result, a Charedi user could thus swap his “dumb” phone for a smartphone, and his Rabbis would never know. Gantz hopes he might have a greater chance of gaining ultra-Orthodox support without Hendel in his party.
Nitzan Horowitz announced he will not seek election to continue as the head of Meretz (although Horowitz intends to run again in the primary to retain his Knesset seat). Horowitz did do a fair job as the Meretz Head and Health Minister. Horowitz is not alone in stepping aside. Today, Tamar Zandberg, Minister of Environment and former head of Meretz announced she will not run to be in the next Knesset. Zandberg’s release followed Minister of Regional Cooperation, Issawi Frej’s announcement a few weeks ago that he too would not run in the upcoming election. If Meretz is going to continue, it will need new vibrant leadership. Unfortunately, current calls seek to bring back Zehava Galon to head the party. She is a capable politician, but under her leadership, the inane Meretz election slogan — “Meretz, the real left” — was born. Bringing back old leaders is no solution.
ECONOMY
The Central Bureau of Statistics announced today that Israel’s annual inflation rate June-to-June was 4.4%, and that housing prices went up an astounding 15.9% during that same time period.