![\"ClintonAIPAC.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.rj.org\/rac\/clintonaipac248_reu2.jpg\")
<\/span>When\nit comes to U.S.\/Israel relations, these are, of course, far from placid
\ntimes. <\/span>This year’s AIPAC conference,
\nwhich began on Sunday and ended today, comes just a week after some of the
\nmost serious, and public, disagreements between the American and Israeli
\ngovernments in recent memory. <\/span>The Policy
\nConference is always great political theatre; this year it is, more
\nspecifically, great drama.<\/p>\n
Much
\nof that drama centered on Secretary Clinton’s appearance. What would she say? Would she be critical of Israeli settlement
\npolicy? How would she be received?<\/p>\n
Secretary My A First, And let And this:<\/p>\n Our countries and our peoples are bound together by our And, critically, this, on Iran, the In addition to threatening Israel, a nuclear-armed Iran Then more challenging words, at … We cannot ignore the long-term population trends that \nIt was on the question of New construction in East Jerusalem or the West Bank Secretary Clinton ended with a We are entering the season of But Israel’s history is the story of brave men and women who took risks. They
\nClinton spoke yesterday morning, entering and exiting to standing ovations. The AIPAC
\nwebsite<\/a> has the full text of her speech, excerpts from the speech, as well as
\nvideo highlights and as video of the full speech (did I mention that AIPAC is
\ngood at this stuff?). (JTA’s coverage of
\nthe speech is here,<\/a>
\nPolitico’s is here<\/a>, and the
\nNew York Times’ is here<\/a>.) <\/p>\n
\ntake? I thought was a remarkable speech
\n– powerful, honest, eloquent, and in turns reassuring and challenging to her
\naudience.<\/p>\n
\nfew excerpts follow.<\/p>\n
\nreassurance, in stirring language: <\/p>\n
\nme assure you, as I have assured you on previous occasions with large groups
\nlike this and small intimate settings, for President Obama and for me, and for
\nthis entire Administration, our commitment to Israel’s security and Israel’s
\nfuture is rock solid, unwavering, enduring, and forever.”<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nshared values of freedom, equality, democracy, the right to live free from
\nfear, and our common aspirations for a future of peace, security and
\nprosperity, where we can see our children and our children’s children … those generations come of age in peace, with
\nthe opportunity to fulfill their own God-given potentials.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nself-described “#1 issue” at the conference:<\/p>\n
\nwould embolden its terrorist clientele and would spark an arms race that could
\ndestabilize the region. This is unacceptable. It is unacceptable to the United
\nStates. It is unacceptable to Israel. It is unacceptable to the region and the
\ninternational community. So let me be very clear: The United States is
\ndetermined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nleast for this audience:<\/p>\n
\nresult from the Israeli occupation. As Defense Minister Barak and others have
\nobserved, the inexorable mathematics of democracy – of demography are hastening
\nthe hour at which Israelis may have to choose between preserving their
\ndemocracy and staying true to the dream of a Jewish homeland. Given this
\nreality, a two-state solution is the only viable path for Israel to remain both
\na democracy and a Jewish state.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nsettlements, and, specifically, the construction approved last week, during
\nVice President Biden’s visit to Israel, in Ramat
\nShlomo that Secretary Clinton most directly spoke to the current tensions:<\/p>\n
\nundermines that mutual trust and endangers the proximity talks that are the
\nfirst step toward the full negotiations that both sides say want and need. And
\nit exposes daylight between Israel and the United States that others in the
\nregion hope to exploit. It undermines America’s unique ability to play a role –
\nan essential role – in the peace process. Our credibility in this process
\ndepends in part on our willingness to praise both sides when they are
\ncourageous, and when we don’t agree, to say so, and say so unequivocally.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nmoving passage, evoking the upcoming Passover holiday, and pledging American
\nsupport for Israel:<\/p>\n
\nPassover. The story of Moses resonates for people of all faiths, and it teaches
\nus many lessons, including that we must take risks, even a leap of faith, to
\nreach the promised land. When Moses urged the Jews to follow him out of Egypt,
\nmany objected. They said it was too dangerous, too hard, too risky. And later,
\nin the desert, some thought it would be better to return to Egypt. It was too
\ndangerous, too hard, too risky. In fact, I think they formed a back-to-Egypt
\ncommittee and tried to stir up support for that. And when they came to the very
\nedge of the promised land, there were still some who refused to enter because
\nit was too dangerous, too hard, and too risky.<\/i><\/p>\n
\ndid the hard thing because they believed and knew it was right. We know that
\nthis dream was championed by Herzl and others that many said was impossible.
\nAnd then the pioneers – can you imagine the conversation, telling your mother
\nand father I’m going to go to the desert and make it bloom. And people
\nthinking, how could that ever happen? But it did. Warriors who were so gallant
\nin battle, but then offered their adversaries a hand of peace because they
\nthought it would make their beloved Israel stronger. Israel and the generations
\nthat have come have understood that the strongest among us is often the one who
\nturns an enemy into a friend. Israel has shed more than its share of bitter
\ntears. But for that dream to survive, for the state to flourish, this
\ngeneration of Israelis must also take up the tradition and do what seems too
\ndangerous, too hard, and too risky. And of this they can be absolutely sure:
\nthe United States and the American people will stand with you. We will share
\nthe risks and we will shoulder the burdens, as we face the future together.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n