Secretary Clinton to AJC Gala: 'Israel's Security is a Personal Commitment'

WASHINGTON, April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, addressing the AJC Annual Gala tonight, delivered a powerful reaffirmation of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and the shared goal of achieving a negotiated comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace.

"Israel's right to exist is non-negotiable and no lasting peace is possible unless that is accepted," said Clinton. "Regional peace must begin with the recognition by every party that the United States will always stand behind Israel's security," said Clinton, adding that guaranteeing Israel's security "is more than a policy position; it is a personal commitment."

Speaking before a standing-room audience of some 1,500, Clinton said, "AJC is a force for peace and progress here at home and around the world," pointing out that the United States' relationship with Israel is premised on the values held by AJC.  

The Secretary of State emphasized that ending regional threats to Israel's security is an essential condition for peace. Calling for renewed negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, she said, "Peace is the best way to safeguard Israel as a democratic and Jewish state and is critical not only to Israel but to our own strategic interests."

AJC Executive Director David Harris, who introduced the Secretary of State, called her speech the words of "a true friend reasserting the depths and strengths of the U.S.-Israel relationship."

Clinton focused much of her attention on the importance of engagement with countries throughout the region, including the ongoing push for sanctions against Iran. "At every turn, Iran has met our outstretched hand with a clenched fist," said Clinton. "We will not compromise our commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons."

After extolling the virtues of peace between Egypt, Jordan and Israel, Clinton laid out a four-point plan for action by Arab states to show both sides that peace is possible. She called on all states to "stop supplying weapons to terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas." She urged Arab states to more fully support President Abbas in negotiations with Israel.

She said Arab states "could do more to support the Palestinian Authority budget." The United States has become "the Palestinian Authority's largest bilateral donor," said Clinton. "Arab states need to share a greater portion of these responsibilities."

Lastly, Clinton called on Arab states to "reach out to the Israeli public," and demonstrate that Israel's isolation in the region is ending by resuming multilateral discussions on critical regional issues.

Clinton cited the Middle East Desalination Research Center One as one durable multilateral partnership that grew out of the Oslo years.

"The United States and a number of our international partners are proud that we helped launch this project, and we appreciate the partnership of the American Jewish Committee in this effort."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee