Obama affirms 'unbreakable' US-Israel ties

[oberliner]

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has said on the Jewish state's 62nd anniversary that the United States shares an "unbreakable bond" with Israel and he was confident the relationship "will only be strengthened" into the future.

Despite tensions between Obama and the government of hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the US leader stressed that he looks "forward to continuing our efforts with Israel to achieve comprehensive peace and security in the region, including a two-state solution."

On the anniversary, Obama said in a statement released by the White House that "we once again honor the extraordinary achievements of the people of Israel, and their deep and abiding friendship with the American people."

On Sunday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States "will not waver in protecting Israel's security and promoting Israel's future," while noting while the Jewish state is "confronting some of the greatest challenges in its history, but its promise and potential have never been greater."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hdgus_qeniReMmqcDihrrWUPFeEw

[Jefferson23]

1. AIPAC will ignore this too.

"Just days ago Clinton called on Netanyahu to prove his commitment to a Palestinian state, warning that prolonged conflict only strengthened extremists."

Funny how AIPAC doesn't warn Bibi, about anything.

[oberliner]

2. AIPAC does not make any comment on Israeli government decisions

They only take positions with respect to US policy.

[azurnoir]

3. Are you speaking publicly or privately n/t

[oberliner]

4. In terms of issuing a "warning" to Netanyahu

That is just not something AIPAC historically has done or would do regardless of the circumstances.

Edit to add: I wouldn't know what they do privately - it's entirely possible that a message was communicated to Netanyahu privately and, thus, by definition, we wouldn't know about it.

[Jefferson23]

5. You like to split hairs I see, ok.

[Violet_Crumble]

7. They do not only take positions with respect to US policy...

They take critical positions with respect to Palestinian decisions. It's just the Israeli government that they never make any comment on...

'In a landmark effort to galvanize peace talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week began a 10-month West Bank settlement moratorium. The United States praised this unprecedented move, but the Palestinian Authority (PA) continues to rebuff Israel—claiming the Israeli initiative failed to meet its preconditions to resume negotiations. PA President Mahmoud Abbas should accept calls from Congress and the Obama administration to immediately resume direct talks with Israel without preconditions. The Arab states also must step forward in support of peace and normalization with Israel.'

http://www.aipac.org/Publications/AIPACAnalysesMemos/AIPAC_Memo_-_Settlement_Moratorium_Shows_Israels_Peace_Commitment.pdf

[oberliner]

8. Thanks for the information

Are you a member of AIPAC?

[Violet_Crumble]

9. That's ok. I know how important accuracy is to you

As for the question. Clearly not as I detest that bunch and thought I'd made that clear. I do find it a bit rude of you to be asking me the same question you refused to answer. Please pay me the courtesy of not asking me questions you yrself refuse to answer

[Donald Ian Rankin]

10. Which is why the phrase "dual loyalties" is such a misnomer.

AIPAC is an organisation whose raison d'etre is to influence US policy to benefit Israel, not vice versa. There's nothing dual about its loyalty.

[Jefferson23]

6. Hillary Clinton, Ehud Barak To Address American Jewish Committee

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak are slated to speak at the American Jewish Committee's Annual Meeting in April.

In addition to Barak and Clinton, the annual conference, held in Washington at the end of the month, will feature the Dutch and Spanish foreign ministers.

Clinton's speech comes on the heels of a major address she gave in March on U.S.-Israeli relations, in a speech to AIPAC. Her upcoming speech was announced yesterday in an e-mail to AJC supporters. Also yesterday, as Israel celebrated its Independence Day, Barak spoke frankly about the growing friction between Israel and the U.S.

"e also shouldn't delude ourselves," Barak said. "The growing alienation between us and the United States is not good for the state of Israel."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/20/hillary-clinton-ehud-bara_n_544384.html