Israel's ability to clinch alliances with Sunni governments across the Arab world, aligned against Islamic State and an empowered Iran, is at risk without a two-state solution, Vice President Joe Biden said on Monday.
Speaking to the Jewish Federations of North America, the vice president acknowledged "quiet talks" between Israel and its Arab neighbors over shared threats. But he said violence in Jerusalem risks "another Intifada on the ground," warning against "incitement" from all sides that would sideline those talks.
"They have all of this in common," Biden said, referring to ISIS and the "regional tension" with Iran. Israel is charged with "taking advantage of this, for the first time in the history of the state of Israel"— and the United States tasked with its facilitation, he said.
Biden acknowledged tensions between Washington and Jerusalem on major issues, notably negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and Israel's recent settlement activity.
"We talk honestly with one another," he said. "We love one another and we drive one another crazy. We are straight with one another."
On Iran, he called criticisms of the US-led talks "malarkey" and said the most "sustainable" solution to the crisis was verifiable agreement guaranteeing their nuclear program remains peaceful.
Come November 24— the deadline on those talks— "Iran has to make a choice," Biden said, warning of "increasing pressure" should a deal not come to pass.
And he repeated a line long held by the Obama administration: the United States will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. Israel hopes to prevent Iran from attaining a nuclear weapons capacity— the ability and means to build such weapons should its political leadership choose to change course.
Biden has decades-old ties to the Jewish community, which he accounted in his speech to the crowd. The General Assembly, held at a convention center just outside Washington, also featured Supreme Court justices Elana Kagan and Stephen Breyer.
The Obama administration has provided historic levels of funding to Israel to maintain its qualitative military edge, he said, amounting to $17 billion over six years— a fifth of Israel's defense budget.
But tensions have mounted nevertheless since October, after a series of settlement announcements out of Jerusalem angered the White House.
One senior official quoted in the Atlantic earlier this month called Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu "chickenshit" for his policy on Iran, further aggravating relations.
Biden addressed that flap in character: with a joke.
"You better damn well report to Bibi that we're still buddies," he said. Recalling a note he once wrote the prime minister, he added: "I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I love ya."