What remains missing on in the v-p debate is what Israel has gained from the debate — just the debate! — over Iran. That is, as long as Israel maintains its spurious claim that Iran represents an “existential threat” to Israel, no one — no one — especially in the United States, is willing to say a word, let alone exert real pressure, on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian lands and its apartheid policies towards Palestinian people. No one’s talking about that.

On the substance of Iran, we once again saw an actual disagreement on Iran policy. We’re still hearing about “red lines” for the use of force against Iran, but the red lines are in two different places. To his credit, Biden didn’t reference a military strike or red lines directly, although he did say the Obama administration would not allow Iran “to get” a nuclear weapon. He went on to say that war should always be the last resort.

Ryan was different. He reinforced Romney’s on-again-off-again red line, threatening force to prevent Iran from obtaining “nuclear capability” — which could mean today.

But once again — Israel’s occupation, apartheid, settlements expansion, the siege of Gaza, Palestinian prisoners, violations of international law and human rights — not a word. We heard from Biden that “the last thing America needs is to get into another ground war in the Middle East.” But he sticks to the Obama plan — endorsed by Ryan as well — for maintaining the war through at least the end of 2014, when a “transition” to Afghan security would take place, with training, special ops, and other forces remaining in Afghanistan. No evidence of what might be different after another year and a half of war, instead of ending it right now, but nonetheless both parties agree on continuing a failed and devastating war.

And once again the drone war, militarization of U.S. policy in Africa… and Palestine, all remain unmentioned. The unspoken, indiscernable, invisible questions. And Palestine at the center.