Washington was the place to be from June 2 through 4, when politicians gathered with 7,000 activists, students and scholars from all 50 states for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference. Among those present at this prestigious event were Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert and Presidential candidates McCain and Obama.
Also in attendance were IMAGE publisher Ben-Gurion Matsas from the East Coast Sephardic community and Dr. Jose Nessim from the West Coast Sephardic community. Both were there to show their support for AIPAC and to hear the politicians’ views.
For more than half a century, AIPAC has worked to help make Israel more secure by ensuring that American support remains strong.
“At a time of unprecedented challenge and opportunity in the Middle East, this is our opportunity to come to Washington and join with other Americans who share our passion for the US-Israel relationship to ensure that our voices are heard in Congress,” said AIPAC President Howard Friedman.
It was good to be there to witness the Presidential candidates pledging their support for Israel.
Presidential nominee Senator John McCain opened the conference. In his speech he stated, “The threats to Israel’s security are large and growing and America’s commitment must grow as well.” He said that he strongly supports the increase in military aid to Israel scheduled to begin in October, and that he is committed to making certain Israel maintains its qualitative military edge. “Israel’s enemies are too numerous—its margin of error too small, and our shared interests and values too great for us to follow any other policy,” he stated.
He spoke about Iran and the huge threat that it poses to both Israel and the United States. “A sponsor of both Hamas and Hezbollah, the leadership of Iran has repeatedly used violence to undermine Israel in the Middle East peace process; it has trained, financed and equipped extremists in Iraq who have killed American soldiers, fighting to bring freedom to that country. It remains the world’s chief sponsor of terrorism and threatens to destabilize the entire Middle East.” It’s good to know that if he becomes our next President, he will make Israel a priority.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also spoke on Tuesday, at the gala banquet. “My responsibility as Prime Minister is first and foremost for the security of its citizens,” he began. “Israel will never capitulate to terrorism or choose appeasement in the face of evil. Our stand in this regard is unequivocal and is completely on a par with the policies of President Bush and his administration. We will continue to exercise our inalienable right to defend ourselves against all acts of aggression and we will prevail!”
“At the same time, we will never abandon our efforts to achieve peace and reconciliation with our neighbors, as we truly believe that only real peace can ultimately provide the security we all deserve.”
He then went on to talk about Iran. “The most serious and imminent threat to global security and stability is undoubtedly Iran. Iran is the world’s largest exporter of terrorism, a fundamentalist dictatorship, motivated by utter contempt for the values represented by the free world and an uninhibited ambition to achieve military superiority and regional hegemony (aggression or expansionism in an effort to achieve world domination). It openly calls for the elimination of Israel and actively seeks nuclear capabilities to enable it to translate its sinister plans into action. Iran’s fingerprints are evident in almost every terrorist organization across the Middle East, from Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah, Iran’s major protégé, receives its directives, ammunition and finances directly from Tehran, with the help of Syria, and is actively engaged in torpedoing any chance of calm in Lebanon.”
“The Iranian threat must be stopped by all possible means… The international community has a duty and responsibility to clarify to Iran, through drastic measures that the repercussions of their continued pursuit of nuclear weapons will be devastating.”
Prime Minister Olmert spoke eloquently and everyone was happy that he was in attendance.
Presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke at the conference on Wednesday. “You know I first became familiar with the story of Israel when I was 11 years old,” he began. “I had a camp counselor who was an American Jew but had lived in Israel for a time and he told me stories of this extraordinary land. I learned of the long journey and steady determination of the Jewish people to preserve their identity through faith, family and culture. Year after year, century after century, Jews carried on their traditions and their dreams of a homeland in the face of impossible odds. The story made a powerful impression on me.”
“I have been proud to be a part of a strong bipartisan consensus that has stood by Israel in the face of all threats. That is a commitment that both John McCain and I share because support for Israel in this country goes beyond (political) party. But part of our commitment must be speaking up when Israel’s security is at risk. Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. Those who threaten Israel threaten us; Israel has always faced these threats on the frontlines and I will bring to the White House an unshakable commitment to Israel’s security. That starts with insuring Israel’s qualitative military advantage. I will insure that Israel can defend itself from any threat from Gaza to Tehran. Defense cooperation between the United States and Israel is a model of success and it must be deepened. As President, I will implement a memorandum of understanding that provides $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade, investments to Israel’s security that will not be tied to any other nation.”
“First we must approve the foreign aid request for 2009 and I understand that Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid are ready to move on that. Going forward we can enhance our cooperation on missile defense; we should export military equipment to our ally Israel under the same guidelines as NATO, and I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself in the United Nations and around the world.”
“Across the political spectrum Israelis understand that real security can only come through lasting peace and that is why we, as friends of Israel, must resolve to do all we can to help Israel and its neighbors to achieve it, because a secure, lasting peace is in Israel’s lasting interest. It is in America’s national interest and it is in the interest of the Palestinian people and the Arab world.”
“As President I will work to help Israel achieve the goal of two States—a Jewish State of Israel and a Palestinian State living side-by-side in peace and security, and I won’t wait—I won’t wait until the waning days of my presidency. I will take an active role and make a personal commitment to do all I can to advance the cause of peace from the start of my administration.”
A panel of four Middle East experts shared their thoughts on the many challenges that the United States and Israel face in the region, and a fascinating panel of leading Jewish intellectuals spoke about the changing face of Zionism and the evolution of Israel’s place in the world.
For three days, politicians spoke about protecting Israel from the Iranian threat. It was a very positive conference. Hopefully, McCain or Obama, whoever becomes our next president, will change their words to actions and support Israel.
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Karen Wolitzer has been a writer for over 20 years. She is currently an editor at IMAGE Magazine.
