(AJC).Israel’s ambassador to the United States, in an impassioned speech at AJC’s Annual Meeting, called on American Jews to continue to openly support Israel.
“There are moments these days when the challenges facing Israel seem overwhelming at best, and at worst insurmountable,” said Ambassador Michael Oren, referring to the Arab-Israeli peace process, to the global campaign to delegitimize Israel, and to Iran’s nuclear program.
“Israel’s leadership is rising to meet these challenges, rising courageously and creatively,” he told the audience of nearly 1,000, comprising AJC members from across the U.S., and leaders of Jewish communities around the world.
But, he implored the AJC Annual Meeting audience to “support the decisions made by the people who bear the greatest responsibility for them.”
The ambassador reiterated the Netanyahu government’s commitment to a negotiated two-state solution. “Just as Israel will recognize the Palestinian state as the nation-state of the Palestinians, so, too, will the Palestinians have to recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people,This is not a tactical maneuver but rather a fundamental prerequisite for peace. Without it, there can be no end of claims, no true end of conflict.”
Oren added that Israel has been working with the Obama administration, specifically Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on the resumption of peace talks. She has praised Israel for taking “unprecedented’ steps in promoting peace talks with the Palestinians.
But, Oren emphatically warned that the foremost obstacle to achieving peace with the Palestinians and wider Arab world is the concerted, escalating campaign of BDS -- boycotts, divestitures and sanctions – that are direct assaults on Israel’s very legitimacy.
“Tragically, Jewish history has taught us that every attempt to annihilate us has been preceded by a campaign to dehumanize us,Dehumanized, Israel could be rendered vulnerable to the most ominous challenge of all, the challenge of a rapidly nuclearizing Iran.”
Oren expressed appreciation for “President Obama’s determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but acknowledged the need for continued pressure on the regime and international support for tough sanctions.
“We welcome the sanctions legislation passed by both Houses of Congress and encourage all state and local efforts to deny Iran access to American markets and know-how,We expect the world to act decisively to deny nuclear capabilities to Iran while reserving the right of any state – and especially a Jewish state that knows too well the price of powerlessness – to defend itself.”
Oren recalled the historic, critical support for Israel among Americans, Jews and non-Jews alike. “Join us in fighting for Israel’s right to defend itself and Israel’s right to exist,” said Oren. “Join us in making that the fight of all Americans and of all fair-minded people everywhere.”
“There are moments these days when the challenges facing Israel seem overwhelming at best, and at worst insurmountable,” said Ambassador Michael Oren, referring to the Arab-Israeli peace process, to the global campaign to delegitimize Israel, and to Iran’s nuclear program.
“Israel’s leadership is rising to meet these challenges, rising courageously and creatively,” he told the audience of nearly 1,000, comprising AJC members from across the U.S., and leaders of Jewish communities around the world.
But, he implored the AJC Annual Meeting audience to “support the decisions made by the people who bear the greatest responsibility for them.”
The ambassador reiterated the Netanyahu government’s commitment to a negotiated two-state solution. “Just as Israel will recognize the Palestinian state as the nation-state of the Palestinians, so, too, will the Palestinians have to recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people,This is not a tactical maneuver but rather a fundamental prerequisite for peace. Without it, there can be no end of claims, no true end of conflict.”
Oren added that Israel has been working with the Obama administration, specifically Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on the resumption of peace talks. She has praised Israel for taking “unprecedented’ steps in promoting peace talks with the Palestinians.
But, Oren emphatically warned that the foremost obstacle to achieving peace with the Palestinians and wider Arab world is the concerted, escalating campaign of BDS -- boycotts, divestitures and sanctions – that are direct assaults on Israel’s very legitimacy.
“Tragically, Jewish history has taught us that every attempt to annihilate us has been preceded by a campaign to dehumanize us,Dehumanized, Israel could be rendered vulnerable to the most ominous challenge of all, the challenge of a rapidly nuclearizing Iran.”
Oren expressed appreciation for “President Obama’s determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but acknowledged the need for continued pressure on the regime and international support for tough sanctions.
“We welcome the sanctions legislation passed by both Houses of Congress and encourage all state and local efforts to deny Iran access to American markets and know-how,We expect the world to act decisively to deny nuclear capabilities to Iran while reserving the right of any state – and especially a Jewish state that knows too well the price of powerlessness – to defend itself.”
Oren recalled the historic, critical support for Israel among Americans, Jews and non-Jews alike. “Join us in fighting for Israel’s right to defend itself and Israel’s right to exist,” said Oren. “Join us in making that the fight of all Americans and of all fair-minded people everywhere.”
