(WashingtonIndependent).After nearly two weeks worth of diplomatic tension, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told a room packed with thousands of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) delegates that the U.S.-Israel bond is “rock solid” and that “it is our responsibility to give credit when it is due and to tell the truth when it is needed.” No contradiction, no tension — the U.S.-Israel bond is “a personal commitment that will never waiver,” Clinton added, and that bond, she said, obligates the U.S. to nudge Israel toward an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“For President Obama and for me and for this entire administration,our commitment to Israel’s security and Israel’s future is rock-solid, unwavering, enduring and forever.” It’s a value-driven relationship “for a future of peace, security and prosperity.”
In her speech Clinton also explained that the Obama administration will not accept a nuclear armed Iran and is working on sanctions "that will bite" to press it to come clean about its suspect atomic program.
She said Iran's leaders must know there are "real consequences" for not proving their nuclear activities are peaceful. "Our aim is not incremental sanctions, but sanctions that will bite," Clinton is to say.
"Let me be very clear: The United States is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons," she said.
Clinton said that if Iran developed a nuclear weapon, it would embolden terrorists and spark an arms race that would destabilize the Middle East. "This is unacceptable," she said. "Unacceptable to the United States. Unacceptable to Israel. And unacceptable to the region and the international community."
Clinton took aim at Iranian hardliners who have clamped down hard on opposition supporters following disputed elections last year.
"Elements in Iran's government have become a menace, both to their own people and in the region," she said, referring to the crackdown.
Before Clinton spoke, AIPAC executive director Howard Kohr set out AIPAC’s effective diplomatic position, rejecting the “reductionist view” that the U.S.-Israel relationship depends on the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Kohr urged “differences” to be resolved “in private,” and focused comparatively more emphasis on “the challenge to Israel’s very existence posed by Iran.” (He added for good measure, “Finally, Jerusalem is not a settlement.”)
“For President Obama and for me and for this entire administration,our commitment to Israel’s security and Israel’s future is rock-solid, unwavering, enduring and forever.” It’s a value-driven relationship “for a future of peace, security and prosperity.”
In her speech Clinton also explained that the Obama administration will not accept a nuclear armed Iran and is working on sanctions "that will bite" to press it to come clean about its suspect atomic program.
She said Iran's leaders must know there are "real consequences" for not proving their nuclear activities are peaceful. "Our aim is not incremental sanctions, but sanctions that will bite," Clinton is to say.
"Let me be very clear: The United States is determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons," she said.
Clinton said that if Iran developed a nuclear weapon, it would embolden terrorists and spark an arms race that would destabilize the Middle East. "This is unacceptable," she said. "Unacceptable to the United States. Unacceptable to Israel. And unacceptable to the region and the international community."
Clinton took aim at Iranian hardliners who have clamped down hard on opposition supporters following disputed elections last year.
"Elements in Iran's government have become a menace, both to their own people and in the region," she said, referring to the crackdown.
Before Clinton spoke, AIPAC executive director Howard Kohr set out AIPAC’s effective diplomatic position, rejecting the “reductionist view” that the U.S.-Israel relationship depends on the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Kohr urged “differences” to be resolved “in private,” and focused comparatively more emphasis on “the challenge to Israel’s very existence posed by Iran.” (He added for good measure, “Finally, Jerusalem is not a settlement.”)
