PrintSeptember 1, 2008
Biden said to tell Israel to get used to Iranian nukes (updated)
Haartez, the left wing Israeli newspaper, quotes Joe Biden as telling Israeli leaders in effect to like it or lump it when it comes to Iran getting nukes:
Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden was quoted Monday as telling senior Israeli officials behind closed doors that the Jewish state will have to reconcile itself to a nuclear Iran.
In the unsourced report, Army Radio also quoted Biden as saying that he opposed "opening a additional military and diplomatic front."
Biden, chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has long been considered strongly pro-Israel. His nomination as Barack Obama's running mate had been expected to shore up the Democrats' strength with U.S. Jewish voters.
Army Radio said Israeli officials expressed "amazement" over the remarks attributed to him.
"Israel will have to reconcile itself with the nuclearization of Iran," Army Radio quoted Biden as telling the unnamed officials.
Hugh Hewitt credits Biden with announcing the appeasement platform" of the Democrats.
Hat tip: Larwyn
Update: Dr. Barry Rubin writes:
Even if people don't care whether Israel is wiped off the map they should consider these points:
1. A nuclear Iran will make it impossible for the West to protect its interests in the Middle East. All countries would be too intimidated to act in any way contrary to Iran's desires.
2. A nuclear Iran would intimidate all Arab regimes to appease Iran including, for example, rejecting Western basing rights or alliances.
3. A nuclear Iran would lead to a huge upsurge in radical Islamist movements and their recruiting. With hundreds of thousands of Muslims joining such groups, the existence of every Arab regime would be jeopardized; terrorism and regional instability would rise.
4. The price of oil, given understandable fears of regional stability, would go far higher than it is now and stay there for years.
Senator Biden--are you reconciled to all that happening?
