Biden: 'Overwhelming frustration' with Israeli gov't

The vice president offered a grim outlook for Mideast peace efforts, reflecting dim hopes for progress during the remainder of the Obama administration.

[...] he said the U.S. is obliged to guarantee Israel's security and to "push them as hard as we can" toward a two-state solution despite "our sometimes overwhelming frustration with the Israeli government."

The vice president's remarks to J Street, a dovish Israel advocacy group that frequently criticizes Netanyahu, came at the height of a U.S. campaign season in which candidates have been scrutinized over their adherence to traditionally stalwart U.S. support for Israel.

In another dig at Netanyahu and his Likud party, Biden singled out for praise Stav Shaffir, a young member of Israel's parliament and a Netanyahu critic from the left wing of Israeli politics.