President Biden’s visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia could make or break him.
His poll numbers are at record lows. If he can get Saudi Arabia to be the ally they claim to be without major contingencies, his polls may rise.
But if he gives away too many concessions to the Saudis, especially if he agrees to go on an apology tour, he might continue his decline. And as for Israel, trust needs to be established with Prime Minister Yair Lapid that Biden has the ability and resolve to deny Iran nuclear weapons. Joining us in this discussion is former Mayor of Shiloh, Israel, and founder of Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, David Rubin.
Q&A:
- What was the purpose of Biden’s trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia? Answer: Biden desperately needs two things: foreign policy accomplishments and Saudi oil.
- Did he succeed in achieving either of those goals? Answer: Let’s take them one at a time. In Israel, he wanted to show warm, friendly relations with the new liberal Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who, I should point out, is a lame-duck prime minister, while behind the scenes pressuring Lapid to give up Israeli sovereignty over parts of Jerusalem.
- What does that mean in practice? Answer: Biden has stated his intent to establish a Palestinian embassy in Jerusalem for a country that doesn’t exist. To do so, he needs the approval of Israel because Jerusalem, all of Jerusalem, is the capital of Israel. To build another US embassy in Jerusalem, for an enemy of Israel no less, would be a violation of the law. I was mayor of Shiloh, Israel, the ancient first capital of Israel, in Samaria, before it moved to Jerusalem. I would be greatly offended if a non-existent people group was granted prime real estate in either of Israel’s ancient capitals. Instead of recognizing Samaria as Israel’s land, it is referred to derisively as ‘occupied territory or the so-called ‘West Bank,’ when it was the biblical heartland in Israel for thousands of years.
- Are there any other issues of tension, and are there areas of agreement? Answer: Biden can also be expected, at least privately, to demand an Israeli halt to what he calls “settlement building,” which means the right of Jews to build and expand homes or apartments. Building moratoriums are outrageous, but fortunately, as a mere caretaker prime minister new elections coming in just a few months, Lapid can merely give lip service to Biden’s demands. As for potential topics of agreement, the Iran issue will likely be an area with some agreement, as the Saudis will push for a solid wall against the Iranian nuclear bomb program. They are very concerned and want to end American negotiations with Iran.
- Will Biden get what he desperately needs on the economic front, which is massive oil sales from the Saudis to the United States to ease the gasoline crisis? Answer: Biden badly burned his bridges with the Saudi crown prince a couple of years ago. Now he is returning to him with his tail between his legs, which is undoubtedly an embarrassment for an American president. The Saudis will devour him, making many demands, and perhaps will also demand some form of a public apology.
- As a former mayor of the first capital of Israel, Shiloh, you were a victim of a terror attack that led you to found Shiloh Israel Children Fund. Tell us the organization’s work and where we may get more information.
Answer: https://www.shilohisraelchildren.org/
BIO: David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of seven books, including Confronting Radicals: What America Can Learn from Israel and Trump and the Jews. Rubin is the founder and president of Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, established after he and his three-year-old son were wounded in a terror attack.
Websites: www.DavidRubinIsrael.com (to find out more about David’s many books) or www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org (treating the victims of terror).
MEDIA CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin 919-437-0001 jerry@specialguests.com
