Biden: US support for Israeli security ‘total’

US Vice President Joe Biden yesterday pledged Washington’s full commitment to Israel’s security while throwing his weight behind a renewal of Middle East peace talks after a 14-month hiatus.

“The cornerstone of the relationship is our absolute, total, unvarnished commitment to Israel’s security,” Biden said after talks with hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

“Progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel. There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel’s security.” He also stressed the US determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and demanded that Tehran stop its support of “terrorist organisations”, which he said threaten both Israel and the United States.