It’s almost impossible to visit the Middle East without stirring some kind of controversy. Vice President Joe Biden said America is absolutely committed to Israel’s security and that there is “no space” between the two countries. But then, after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he condemned an Israeli plan to build 1,600 new houses in East Jerusalem, saying it threatened efforts to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Today he’s scheduled to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. What are the likely impacts of these new settlements and the Vice President’s visit?

Guests:

Janine Zacharia, Jerusalem bureau chief for the Washington Post

Jacob Dayan, Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles