PrintMay 24, 2011
Why Did the Congress Love Bibi?
As Jennifer Rubin has laid out in her Washington Post blog entry, Bibi Netanyahu delivered a near perfect speech to the joint session of Congress today, capping a remarkable six days in which the U.S Israel relationship has been center stage.
"Bibi Netanyahu did several critical things: demonstrated that he and members of Congress from both parties are entirely in sync; refocused the world on Iran; publicly stated he would give up land considered by Jews to be part of their historic homeland; left no doubt that the Palestinians' refusal to recognize a Jewish state is the sole reason there is no Palestinian state; and implicitly made a mockery of President Obama's fixation on settlements. I will take each in order."The genuine expression of warmth and respect, but more important, agreement from Congress was undeniable."
But there is one point to add to her summary: the Congress heard today from a foreign leader who loves America and appreciates the warmth, generosity, and support his embattled country has received throughout its history from our country. America has poured billions into Pakistan, a country which sheltered Osama Bin Laden for years, and billions more to the Palestinian Authority, where our money is helping pay salaries of terrorists in Israeli prisons and Hamas members. Our President has made a habit of apologizing to the Muslim world and African countries for America's misdeeds.
It was refreshing then, for the leader of Israel to say thank you over and over today, and to applaud this country for its exceptionalism and greatness. We know what Barack Obama thinks of American exceptionalism:
"I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism."
Full text of the speech here.
Video of Prime Ministter Netanyahu's speech can be seen in four parts, via YouTube:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
