Biden: I wish I could have been there to hug Abigail/Reuters
Eight years ago I met Vice President Joe Biden in Jerusalem.
He came to visit during the Knife Intifada, a few months after Hamas terrorists brutally murdered my father, Richard Laykin, during a bus ride in Jerusalem.
I spoke with the vice president about the incitement to terrorism and the widespread hatred of Israel in Palestinian society and its political and educational institutions.
I gave him two copies of my father's book, "Teaching as an Act of Love", and asked him to give one to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, whom he was supposed to meet the next day.
On the first page I wrote the following dedication: I was born in 1969, the year Golda Meir became the prime minister of Israel.
Like my family, she also immigrated to Israel from the USA - two countries with common values. One of her most famous quotes says that, "Peace will come to the Middle East when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us." Forty-six years later, we still teach the Our children to love, while our neighbors teach theirs to hate. The core of this book is "every child is a miracle", a miracle that deserves love and not hate."
Our duty is to spread this concept.
Biden was thrilled.
We discussed the essence of the common values we share and at the end of the meeting he gave me a small punch in the chest and said: "Son, you have good blood."
Translated from spoken American to Hebrew, the meaning is: "You got a good education, dude."
Indeed, my parents taught me to be tolerant, humane, but no less important than that - standing by principles.
I grew up in the USA and immigrated to Israel with my parents when I was a high school student. I understand very well the American values and especially the nature of thinking.
Biden.
It is important to look soberly at reality from a deep familiarity with the American DNA/Reuters
These days, when President Biden is pressuring Israel to stop the war in Gaza and to respond to short-term solutions that are against our national interest, it is important to look soberly at the reality and the map of interests, precisely from a deep familiarity with the American DNA.
Many Israeli commentators - and it is important to note that parts of the coalition and the government also support this at this time - claim that the Israeli government must submit to the demands of the administration in Washington.
Unfortunately, these are the voices of people who do not know and understand American culture and values.
Biden's pressure stems from short-term political calculations, rather than long-term strategic and moral interests.
The USA has entered an election year. It is no secret that Biden depends on a number of key countries where there is a small but vocal Muslim audience that can influence the results of the elections. Therefore, the president must "make noise" of those who are trying to stop the war in order to help the Palestinians. I do not I buy it, because from a moral and ethical point of view, Biden is not really interested in the cessation of hostilities, but in the defeat of Hamas.
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Micah Laykin Avni.
Americans do not respect people or countries that are not decisive or consistent/PR
Americans stand by their principles.
point.
So is President Biden.
And he would like us to stand firm on our beliefs and say in a clear voice: "We respect your position and thank you for your support, but we must continue this war until all the goals are achieved. There is no reason to discuss any settlement until Hamas is completely defeated."
If we do, most Americans, including mainstream leaders in both parties, will respect and support us for standing by our beliefs and values.
Deliberation or hesitancy is likened in American eyes to a lack of faith in the righteousness of the way.
It is essential to understand this: Americans do not respect people or countries that are not decisive or consistent.
This is always true, but even more so in the current complex times.
How can we expect America to see us as an example of democratic values and a reliable ally, if we do not stand firmly for our beliefs?
I call on the Israeli public and leaders to stand firmly and with faith in our values.
We must continue this war until we have reached our full objectives and will not be open to any settlement short of total victory over our enemies.
Only in this way will real security and the possibility of creating a sustainable future be achieved.
My late father taught me to love, but he also taught me to stand up for what is right and just. These are common values for Americans and Israelis. I hope that President Biden will remember the message of my father's book - "Every child is a miracle".
I am sure that he will understand that we We fight not only for ourselves, but for the entire free world, but no less importantly, for the lives of the children on both sides of the fence - they deserve to live in peace and love, not hatred.
The author is an Israeli lawyer, activist and businessman
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