President Joe Biden recently shared a story about his meeting with former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, which has raised questions on social media. Here’s what we know about the situation:
The Background
During a statement on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ support for Israel. The conflict escalated when Hamas fired rockets at Israel and fighters infiltrated its borders near the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war, launching counterattacks on Hamas in Gaza. In response, Biden defended Israel’s right to self-defense, reflecting the enduring alliance between the United States and Israel.
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Biden’s Story
In the midst of discussing the conflict, President Biden recounted a personal anecdote from his 1973 visit to Israel as a senator. He mentioned meeting with Golda Meir, the Prime Minister of Israel at the time, and their conversation. Biden stated that Meir had noticed his concern during their meeting, to which she reassured him by saying, “Don’t worry, Senator Biden. We have a secret weapon here in Israel. We have no place else to go.”
Social Media Reactions
Following Biden’s story, some social media users raised doubts about the accuracy of his recollection. They pointed to Golda Meir’s birth and death dates (May 3, 1898 – December 8, 1978) and questioned the timeline of the alleged meeting. While some accused the President of lying about the encounter, others expressed skepticism.
The Facts
Joe Biden became a U.S. senator in 1972, and Golda Meir served as Israel’s prime minister from 1969 to 1974. This means that Meir was indeed in office during Biden’s visit to Israel in 1973, making the meeting feasible from a chronological perspective.
Moreover, Biden has shared this story on multiple occasions throughout his political career, including in 1992 and more recently in 2022. The story’s consistency and repetition over the years suggest that the encounter with Golda Meir did occur as described.
Conclusion
While some social media users have questioned the accuracy of President Biden’s story about his meeting with Golda Meir, there is evidence to support its authenticity. The timeline aligns with the dates of their respective positions, and Biden has recounted this story consistently throughout his political career. As such, the claim that he lied about the Golda Meir meeting appears unsubstantiated.
In the midst of this debate, the focus remains on the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict and the United States’ continued support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
