A fair amount of chatter has erupted in this first month of President Joe Biden's term over Biden not calling right-wing Israeli Prime Minister and Trump's BFF Bibi "Bomb Bomb" Netanyahu. It's the result of the Beltway media trying to play "gotcha" with the new Administration and likely some mischief by Bibi's Likudnik supporters here and in Israel. The Biden Administration says it's just a matter of focusing on pressing domestic issues, and Netanyahu claims not to be concerned by the silence.
Biden would have good reason not to rush to call Netanyahu, recalling his intrusive attempted sabotage of the Iran nuclear deal that the Obama Administration worked out with its European allies, Russia and China over a period of years. Netanyahu was giddy over demagogue and seditionist loser Donald "Mango Mussolini" Trump's withdrawal from the agreement. There's also the matter of Netanyahu honoring Trump by naming a Golan Heights settlement "Trump Heights." Netanyahu is still facing corruption charges from years ago, with a trial in the offing, something that would offend anyone other than a thug like Trump. Finally, there's the matter of waiting out the clock on Bibi, who would try to use his opposition to any revived deal as an issue in next month's close elections in Israel, where support for his party has dipped. What better way to flaunt his "patriotism" and garner votes than with a tiff with the new Biden Administration over Iran?
There's every indication that Netanyahu will try to derail any attempt by the U.S. to return to the deal, and Netanyahu would like nothing better than to give Biden the metaphorical finger (and his dear friend Trump satisfaction). Biden should hold off on any call to Netanyahu until after their elections, or even after Netanyahu's corruption charges are adjudicated.
(photo: "I can recommend a good defense attorney, Donald." Carlos Barria/Reuters)
