Detroit, MI – Vice President Joe Biden was in Detroit on Sunday to speak at fundraisers for an Orthodox Jewish day school and Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Vice President Joe Biden told the crowd gathered for the Jewish Orthodox fundraiser on Sunday that the United States’ relationship with Israel is not an act of friendship, but a fundamental act of self-interest.
“It is a key component of our broader efforts to secure this region and the wider world as well as our own security,” Biden said, adding that President Barack Obama feels the same way. “America’s bond with Israel is unbreakable. I guarantee you: We will stand with Israel because we know she has nowhere else to go and we want her to stay right where she is.”
In his 20-minute speech, Biden said that challenges to Israel’s nationhood were rising around the world, and that there was a “sustained effort to de-legitimize Israel.” Biden described the United Nations General Assembly as “mildly hostile” to Israel.
His speech seemed to play down the strained relations between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The White House wants peace talks to resume between Israel and the Palestinians, but Netanyahu has declined.
Biden was the keynote speaker at the annual dinner of Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, an Orthodox Jewish day school in Southfield. About 800 children from preschool to 12th grade attend, according to its website.
It was attended by hundreds of people at the Marriott Hotel in the Detroit Renaissance Center.
Republicans have tried to attract Jewish support following Obama’s suggestion that the future borders of a Palestinian state and a Jewish state be drawn on the basis of Israel’s pre-1967 war frontiers.
“He is very supportive of Israel,” said Shlomo Loketch, 33, of Oak Park. “It’s good to know we have an administration that really cares about Israel.”
Earlier Sunday, Biden was scheduled to speak at an afternoon fundraiser at the hotel for Stabenow, who is up for re-election next year.
At least eight Republicans are vying for the chance to challenge Stabenow next year. Among them is former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Holland, who issued a statement attacking her and Biden on the eve of the event.
“It seems like Vice President Biden and Sen. Debbie Stabenow will say anything about their do-nothing policies,” Hoekstra said, alluding to statements about the Democratic administration’s economic stimulus and jobs programs. “Their big government approach has failed, and a repeat of those initiatives isn’t what Michigan voters are looking for.”
His speeches are usually fun to listen to… LOL….
A keynote address by Mr. Biden is like a swimming lesson by a bird.
Is the Vice President the best choice of a speaker for that dinner? Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to possess too much seichel or good judgment, judging by his past remarks.
Isn’t he the one who said “over my dead body” about Jonathan Pollard, hy”v ?? and he’s being hosted by a FRUM enterprise???? What have we come to???
How does Beth Yehuda get such prominent speakers all the time?
They took Biden because Foster Brooks was not available.
Well that’s what happens when Yeshiva’s are operated by Money men as apposed to Rosh yeshiva’s
i have a real problem that an orthodox school would invite a member of the current administration to be a speaker…i for one would not attend the event (if i was going to go otherwise) with the VP as the speaker…..
The current administration announced a defunding of UNESCO when they recognized the Palestinians.
did he leave a check?
What most readers and certainly posters to this story don’t realize is that the vast majority of attendees to the dinner are non-orthodox. They aren’t coming to hear “hisorirus” from R’ Pesach Krohn. It’s a tremendous credit to those who arrange the dinner that they are able to do this fundraising event drawing from this crowd and that they are able to get such prominent speakers year after year.
Yet, we have the “Poskim” from VIN letting us know in no uncertain terms that Biden is an anti-semite to the likes of Louis Farrakhan . Forget that, even worse, to the likes of Obama! Perhaps these “Poskim” would be better off paskening the shailos on the Country Yossi Program, instead of putting out their seichal for anyone doing a search on this story to stumble across on Google.
To #21 -PMO in Florida- Recently, y ou complained about anti-semitism in Florida, when you stated that there were incidents by individuals in the street who would utter vile remarks after seeing you, even though in your own words, “they don’t know you”. Yet, it appears that you are doing the exact same thing pertaining to the Pollard case. It is really shocking and disturbing that a Jew would have such hatred towards a fellow Jew, who has already been punished enough for the last 26 years!
“Vice President … United States’ relationship with Israel is not an act of friendship, but a fundamental act of self-interest.”
It’s not love nor hate. It’s the business of politics.