Back in 1986, then Senator Biden said there was no need to apologise for supporting Israel

In 1986, then-Senator Joe Biden delivered a speech that shed light on his perspective regarding US-Israel relations. At the heart of his speech was a firm conviction that the United States should not apologise for its unwavering support for Israel. “If we look at the Middle East, I think it's about time we stopped, those of us who support Israel, as most of us do in this body, we stop apologising for our support for Israel. There's no apology to be made. None. It is the best $3 billion investment we make,” he said, on the floor of the Senate. 

Fast forward to 2023, as President Biden navigates the complex dynamics of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, his stance on supporting Israel remains strong. In his speech, Senator Biden made several key points that continue to resonate in today's geopolitical landscape. He criticized the notion that Saudi Arabia could be a reliable agent of change or a staunch supporter of US interests in the Persian Gulf region. He believed that the Saudi government, an 80-member family oligarchy, was adrift in the midst of an Islamic revolution, lacking a clear understanding of the consequences it entailed.

What else did Biden say?

Biden argued that it was unrealistic to expect the Saudis to be proactive in promoting US interests, even with the assistance of arms sales. Instead, he saw Saudi Arabia as a regional player bound by its own self-interest, which, in reality, meant supporting the Arab brethren, including Palestinians. The Palestinian influence in Saudi Arabia, notably on its infrastructure and oil resources, limited the country's options.

The then-Senator acknowledged that the sale of sophisticated weapons to Saudi Arabia would place the nation in an untenable position during future conflicts in the region. If the Saudis did not actively engage with their Arab counterparts, they would find themselves compelled to support the next course of action, potentially involving conflicts with Israel.

Biden, an unabashed backer of Israel 

Biden's viewpoint on this matter is strikingly relevant to current events. In 2023, President Biden is faced with a Middle East mired in conflict. His administration must navigate the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, seeking to maintain US support for its ally while addressing the complexities of the region.

Biden's unwavering stance on US-Israel relations, echoing back to his 1986 speech, continues to shape his approach to foreign policy and international diplomacy. While the geopolitical landscape has evolved, the essence of his perspective remains constant: US support for Israel is an investment in the nation's interests and security, and there is no need to apologise for that commitment. As President, he confronts these challenges with the backdrop of decades of foreign policy experience, aiming to find a path to peace and stability in a tumultuous region.