What really happened in the meeting between Biden and Netanyahu? Read Thomas Friedman’s article

New York Times – In recent weeks there has been a lot of discussion about age Joe Biden. He’s old. But do you know what comes with getting older besides walking more slowly and forgetting words? Wisdom – especially in terms of how to handle diplomatic encounters where there’s a lot at stake without screwing up (or letting things deteriorate before you want them to). This is what I think I saw in the direct meeting between the American President and the Israeli Prime Minister. Benjamin NetanyahuOn Wednesday, in New York.

The meeting frustrated many Israeli reporters and Israelis I know, because Netanyahu told everyone afterwards how warm and friendly the meeting had been. Biden spoke of the unbreakable ties between them we And the The Jewish state. Many Israelis hate Netanyahu so much that they wanted to see Biden criticize his judicial coup — and when that didn’t happen, they viewed the meeting as a sorely missed opportunity.

Yes, yes, I understand, I told you. But didn’t you see it? I asked them.

What? They answered me.

And although Biden publicly put his right arm around Netanyahu’s shoulder — specifically to defuse any attacks by Republicans that he is too tough on Israel — I heard that the president was, so to speak, using his left hand to put his hand in his pocket. homework. It was like a magician at work. We have to watch the double slow motion replay to see the trick.

And do you know what the homework told you? My investigation points to something basic along these lines:

“Bibi, do you want this agreement that would normalize relations between the two countries? Israel that it Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I also want. But to get that deal, I would have to do something very difficult: draft a mutual defense agreement with the Saudis and perhaps agree to some kind of civilian nuclear program for the kingdom under strict controls. The Saudi leader, the Crown Prince Mohammed bin SalmanIt will also have to do something very difficult: normalize relations between the nation, which includes the two holiest cities in Islam, Mecca and Medina, with the Jewish state. And you will also have to do something very difficult now.

“You will have to agree to terms for normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia which will require you to verifiably rein in Jewish colonial settlements in the West Bank, improve the living conditions and movement of Palestinians living there, and increase Palestinian control over the most densely populated areas of the West Bank.” territories as defined by the Oslo Accords and generally agree to take steps on a path that preserves the two-state solution even if their coalition government’s agreement calls for annexation. Now, Bibi, I, as your respected, warm, and confidant friend, will never tell you how to run your politics — let alone ask you to blow up your crazy coalition by agreeing to the terms that far-right Jewish racists might put on your government. Never swallow. No, I would never do that. This would interfere with your politics. That would be a mistake. I’m just telling you, Baby, that you have some homework to do, my dear, warm, confidant friend. You have to hand in the assignment in the next few weeks.

It was a masterclass in how an American president puts a fateful decision in the hands of an Israeli leader – a decision that represents the most poignant challenge of that Israeli leader’s political career. Which is: either ending the extremist government you formed to keep yourself out of prison – and replacing it with a national unity coalition – or ending the opportunity for peace with Saudi Arabia, which is capable of paving the way for the State of Israel to gain acceptance by the entire Islamic world.

Biden has done all this by making himself seem like he really is — one of the best friends Israel has ever had — while defusing any backlash in the United States.

So I’m not getting into the debate about whether or not Biden is too old to run for re-election. I’m just telling you that when it comes to diplomacy, age and experience are your best qualities.

By the way, I’m also old, I just turned 70. But I still see perfectly. The good thing about being old – and still having good eyesight – is that I don’t need an instant replay to see a diplomatic wizard in action. / Translated by Guilherme Rousseau