Unraveling History: The Astonishing Encounter Between Biden and Meir
President Joe Biden's encounter with Golda Meir during a time of intense turmoil highlights his unwavering commitment to Israel, a story he has been sharing to showcase his longstanding support
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President Joe Biden has been sharing a version of this story frequently in recent days, aiming to highlight his extensive track record of supporting Israel.
Biden often recalls his encounter with Golda Meir, the pioneering individual who held the position of Israel's prime minister as the sole female leader.
During their meeting in 1973, Meir was in her seventies, while Biden, at the age of thirty, was just beginning his extensive tenure in the Senate, which would span several decades.
During an event in Tel Aviv with Israel's present prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday, he accurately recounted the story, highlighting the fact that it took place shortly before the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
The significant moment of the story unfolds as they stand side by side, captured in a photograph. (Please note that CNN's photo editors could not locate a picture of Biden and Meir together.)
BIDEN: She quietly asked me, aware that I would hear her, "Senator Biden, why do you appear so concerned?" Startled, I responded, "Concerned? Naturally, I am." Without even glancing at me, she confidently stated, "Senator, worry not. We, as Israelis, possess a secret weapon. We have no alternative destination."
Today, I solemnly declare to Israel: The United States is equally steadfast. We will unwaveringly support you.
He had previously recounted the same story earlier in the day, albeit with a small inaccuracy. Prior to meeting with Israelis affected by the terrorist attacks, he mentioned that the meeting happened "right before the Six-Day War," which actually took place in 1967, before Meir assumed the role of prime minister and before Biden became a senator.
Nevertheless, the conclusion of the story remains consistent. Here is how he narrated it at the community event.
BIDEN: We were both standing there, just like we are now, looking at the press, getting our picture taken. And without even looking at me, she turned and said, "You look concerned, Senator." I replied, "I am." She assured me, "Don't worry, Senator. We Jews have a secret weapon in our fight. We have no other option."
The reality is, if Israel didn't exist, we would have to create it. I firmly believe that, and I got into trouble for saying it back then. But it's true: you don't have to be Jewish to be a Zionist. You don't need to be Jewish to be a Zionist.
He has previously mixed up these two occurrences - the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the 1967 Six-Day War - as confirmed by CNN's fact-check team in 2021. Interestingly, there is a latest film adaptation of Meir's narrative titled "Golda," featuring Helen Mirren, which centers around the Yom Kippur war in 1973.
Learning about the history of these two conflicts is valuable as they continue to hold significance in the present. In the June 1967 Six-Day War, Israel initiated a preemptive attack on Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, resulting in their acquisition of the Gaza Strip (previously under Egyptian control), the Sinai Peninsula (previously part of Egypt), the Golan Heights (formerly governed by Syria), and the West Bank (including Jerusalem) which was under Jordanian authority.
Egypt and Syria launched an attack on Israel during the Yom Kippur War in October 1973, targeting the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, in an effort to regain territory. This conflict resulted in Arab nations imposing an oil embargo on the US due to its support for Israel.
Although the war concluded within three weeks, it took almost nine additional years for Israel to relinquish control of the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. The completion of this process occurred in 1982 following the 1978 Camp David Accords, which resulted in a peace treaty between the two nations.
Israel maintained occupation of the Gaza Strip until 2005, at which point it withdrew both soldiers and settlers. As for the West Bank, which was previously under Jordan's control, Jordan recognized Israel in 1994, and Israelis have since persisted in constructing settlements in that region.
