On 12 August, in what would later be dubbed “Black Thursday”, Israeli jets bombed Beirut for 11 consecutive hours, killing more than 100 people. That same day, a horrified Ronald Reagan placed a phone call to Menachem Begin, then Israeli prime minister, to “express his outrage” and condemn the “needless destruction and bloodshed”.
“Menachem, this is a holocaust,” Reagan told Begin.
Yes, an American leader used the H-word in conversation with an Israeli leader. Begin responded with sarcasm, telling the US president that “I think I know what a holocaust is.” Reagan, however, didn’t budge, insisting on the “imperative” for a ceasefire in Beirut.
Twenty minutes. That’s all the time it took for Begin to call back and tell the president he had ordered Sharon to stop the bombing. It was over. “I didn’t know I had that kind of power,” a surprised Reagan told an aide, upon putting down the phone.
I think this speaks far more about Netanyahu than it does about Biden. I have no doubt he’d double down on the crazy if the U.S. unilaterally ceased support, even going so far as to threaten or use nukes. Menachem was under significant economic and political pressure in his own country at the time, Netanyahu isn’t facing that yet. His own people will have to force his hand before a foreign leader can.
I’m not saying he’s in the right, I’m just directly comparing the current PM of Israel with the guy from your Regan quote. It’s not the same situation: Netanyahu, sadly, is being encouraged to continue on his path, and nothing will change until he’s ousted.
The reality of global geopolitics stands as evidence against your assertion being correct. It’s similar, that’s true enough, but there are some key differences:
Back then, the six-day-war was fresh, Israel and its allies had proven Israel couldn’t be easily destroyed, and Israel learned it is vulnerable. Lots of local opposition to its actions in Egypt and Lebanon.
Today: Israel is in a much better defensive position, and is actively the aggressor with little pretense. Lots of local support for a very aggressive PM that is hell bent on openly killing all the Palestinians.
Reagan was actually so tough that his mere existence caused Iran to release the hostages, also, there were no other factors do not look. Srsly “I’m the most communister also reagan yelled israel into not doing a thing” get serious
If only Biden could have done something to stop it. He is just a powerless old man with the full power to stop or continue the Genocide by invoking Leahy law.
How?
Full Nelson until Israel says, “Uncle Sam”?
No just pick up the phone and dial a number
Biden can end the bombing of Gaza right now. Here’s how
We only get a summary, not a transcript, but:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/06/readout-of-president-joe-bidens-call-with-prime-minister-netanyahu-of-israel-5/
I think this speaks far more about Netanyahu than it does about Biden. I have no doubt he’d double down on the crazy if the U.S. unilaterally ceased support, even going so far as to threaten or use nukes. Menachem was under significant economic and political pressure in his own country at the time, Netanyahu isn’t facing that yet. His own people will have to force his hand before a foreign leader can.
Also: https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/12/politics/biden-israel-losing-support-netanyahu/index.html
Bro my sides people actually linking Biden gaslighting as if it means anything.
Biden just gave Netanyahu 26 Billion dollars to commit Genocide in Rafah with. This Ethnic Cleansing is fully Genocide Joe approved.
I’m not saying he’s in the right, I’m just directly comparing the current PM of Israel with the guy from your Regan quote. It’s not the same situation: Netanyahu, sadly, is being encouraged to continue on his path, and nothing will change until he’s ousted.
It’s exactly the same situation.
Netanyahu is no different from his predecessors. The only difference is how far the American president lets them do Genocide unconditionally.
The reality of global geopolitics stands as evidence against your assertion being correct. It’s similar, that’s true enough, but there are some key differences:
Back then, the six-day-war was fresh, Israel and its allies had proven Israel couldn’t be easily destroyed, and Israel learned it is vulnerable. Lots of local opposition to its actions in Egypt and Lebanon.
Today: Israel is in a much better defensive position, and is actively the aggressor with little pretense. Lots of local support for a very aggressive PM that is hell bent on openly killing all the Palestinians.
It’s very worse, and very different today.
Reagan was actually so tough that his mere existence caused Iran to release the hostages, also, there were no other factors do not look. Srsly “I’m the most communister also reagan yelled israel into not doing a thing” get serious
Good thing Biden gave Netanyahu 26 Billion dollars to commit Genocide with no strings attached. That’s probably the play right?
Most Radicalest Most Comminism Internet Radical Gets Caught Doin A Great Man Theory And Gets Real Fuckin Mad About It
If only Biden could have done something to stop it. He is just a powerless old man with the full power to stop or continue the Genocide by invoking Leahy law.