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It took a month but President Joe Biden has finally spoken to perhaps America’s most important ally – Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his American counterpart called him on Wednesday.
The delay in reaching out to the Middle East‘s only full-fledged democracy is seen by foreign policy experts as a major shift in U.S. policy, marking the first time in recent memory the two allies did not speak. The military intelligence Israel provides has long protected U.S. military personnel in the Middle East, Israeli technology that shields American troops around the world, and Americans at home from terrorist attacks.
Observers had noticed the unusual delay in contacting Israeli Prime Minister Benjaamin Netanyahu but when the finally call came, Netanyahu was gracious.
“The conversation was very warm and friendly and continued for approximately one hour,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement high on courtesies but belying some annoyance.
Though in a statement from the Whtie House, it was reported that Biden “affirmed his personal history of steadfast commitment to Israel’s security and conveyed his intent to strengthen all aspects of the US-Israel partnership, including our strong defense cooperation.”
Israel did have some good news from the Biden administration recently, when he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and will keep the US embassy there. President Trump moved the center of American influence in the region to Jerusalem in 2018, fulfilling not only a campaign promise but also a law passed by Congress but ignored by both Democrat and Republican presidents.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
