Vice President Joseph R. Biden tried to warm relations between Israel and the United States on Monday, telling a Jewish Foundations of North America crowd that the two nations remain steadfast friends — but that sometimes, even friends fight.
The remarks came on the heels of a senior White House official calling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “chickens—t” in an interview with The Atlantic.
“Like all close friends,” Mr. Biden said, the National Journal reported. “We talk honestly to one another. We disagree with one another. We love one another, and we drive one another crazy. That is what friends do.”
Mr. Biden then told the story of how he once signed a picture for Mr. Netanyahu — whom he referred to as “Bibi” — but writing: “I don’t agree with a damn thing you say, but I love ya,” the National Journal said.
Mr. Biden also reiterated to the crowd that he and the prime minister of Israel “really are good friends,” the news outlet said.
And Mr. Biden vowed: “We will never ever abandon Israel out of our own self interests.”
SEE ALSO: Netanyahu fires back at reported ‘chickens—t’ slur from U.S. official
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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