Israel tells US: Create Credible Military Threat Against Iran

Unfortunately, no vid clips are posted yet from this year's Confab in the Big Easy...

Imagine my surprise when I'd read 'Who Dat?' in a Ha'aretz headline...

Who dat? The Jewish Federations General Assembly hits New Orleans

More than 4,000 members of Jewish organizations, NGOs and charities have descended upon the Big Easy for the annual convention.

The annual General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America got going Saturday night (after Shabbat, of course) in the heart of New Orleans, under the moniker “The Big Embrace in the Big Easy.”

In a timely Ha'aretz Op-Ed, Gideon Levy, hits a Grand Salami... Cleared all the bases...!

Dear American Jews, if you love Israel - criticize it

If Israel is dear to you - and that is true of most of you - then be honest enough to criticize it as it deserves.

Today, your representatives will open your great annual convention, the General Assembly. Between New Orleans' Marriott and Sheraton hotels, you will be sated with lectures and lecturers, panels and discussion groups. Some will be about you, and some will be about us Israelis. Once again, you will hear all the cliches - and Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni, too.

But this year, you will be meeting in the shadow of last week's midterm elections - many of you are surely rejoicing over the president's defeat - and on the eve of fateful decisions.

I read that your menu includes an Israeli breakfast, and also several discussions about the global delegitimization of Israel. Doubtless the speakers will tell you it's because of anti-Semitism.

Don't believe them. There is anti-Semitism in the world, but not to the extent they will tell you. Nor is there any "delegitimization of Israel." There is only delegitimization of Israel's policy of force and occupation. [...]

Your beloved Israel is addicted. It is addicted to occupation and aggression, and someone has to wean it from these addictions. Like any other junkie, it is incapable of helping itself. Thus the job falls to you.

So Bibi's in the Big Easy, with Biden, shooting the breeze today...

Vice President Biden Pledges Unwavering Support for Israel

Vice President Joe Biden told Jewish groups that the U.S. under the Obama administration remains a steadfast and unwavering ally to Israel.

Before the speech Sunday, Biden met for about an hour with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Mideast peace negotiations.

Their meeting was seen as a possible sign of movement for the troubled diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians. The peace talks broke down in late September over renewed Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank.

Biden told the general assembly of the Jewish Federation of North America in New Orleans that the Obama White House "represents an unbroken chain in American leaders who have understood the critical strategic relationship" between the U.S. and Israel.

As other sources had noted...

Israel tells US: create credible military threat against Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Vice President Joe Biden Sunday that only a "credible" threat of military action will ensure Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons, a senior Israeli official said. [...]

The senior official, who asked not to be named, quoted Netanyahu as telling Biden: "The only way to ensure Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons is by creating a credible threat of military action against it if it does not halt its race to acquire a nuclear bomb." [...]

Mark Regev, Netanyahu's spokesman, said the Israeli prime minister expressed support for continued sanctions on Iran but suggested more pressure was needed.

"Sanctions are important. They are increasing pressure on Iran. But so far there has not been any change in the behaviour of Iran and upgrading of international pressure is necessary," he quoted Netanyahu as saying to Biden.

Now, as the Jpost crowed...

Biden underscores US commitment to Israeli security at GA

US vice president: “When it comes to Israel’s security there can be no daylight –no daylight- between Israel and the US"; also upholds Palestinians’ right to their own country, says objective in line with Israel’s.

US Vice President Joe Biden delivered an impassioned speech in support of Israel at the Jewish Federations of North American’s General Assembly in New Orleans on Sunday, saying whatever differences have recently existed between the White House and Jerusalem these were tactical rather than fundamental.

He reiterated what he said was the Obama administration’s deep commitment to Israel’s security and to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“When it comes to Israel’s security there can be no daylight –no daylight– between Israel and the US,” he said. [...]

“It is critical to keep the international spot light on the genuine threats to the Israel (sic) like the Iranian nuclear program, not Israel,” Biden said.

As Arutz Sheva reported on our Ambassador to Israel words to the Israelis...

"The Relationship Between the U.S. and Israel will Not Change"

...Cunningham addressed the results of last week’s midterm elections in the U.S. and said that he believes that they will not have an effect on the relationship between the U.S. and Israel.

“While there are differences to be sure, both Democrats and Republicans generally agree that the United States has both a practical and moral responsibility to provide effective global leadership during the 21st century,” said Cunningham and added that on issues of security of Israel “there is strong bipartisan agreement. Republicans and Democrats both agree that our relationship with Israel is a bond that political developments will not undercut.”

Cunningham added that the U.S.-Israel relationship is based on common values, partnership, and mutual interests, as well as on an unwavering bipartisan commitment to Israel security, pursuing peace and regional stability. “Our relationship with Israel is not an issue of partisan politics and it would be a negative development were it to become one,” he said. [...]

During his remarks Ayalon echoed Cunningham’s sentiments on the relationship between the U.S. and Israel.

“I would have said the same and I think we look at most things from the same perspective,” he said. “There are some legitimate differences between friends but also as friends we have never let any differences spill over to other issues.”

Talking about that Bipartisan support...

The AFP had reported from Halifax...

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham set a tough tone on Iran on Saturday at a security conference in Ottawa(Halifax actually) when he said conservatives want "bold" action on Iran.

If Obama "decides to be tough with Iran beyond sanctions, I think he is going to feel a lot of Republican support for the idea that we cannot let Iran develop a nuclear weapon," Graham told the Halifax International Security Forum.

"The last thing America wants is another military conflict, but the last thing the world needs is a nuclear-armed Iran... Containment is off the table."

As Reagan once famously quipped... "Bombing will commence in 5 minutes...!"

*gah*