Monday, April 19, 2010

Obama in warm message to Israel on Independence day: US-Israel relationship - "strong, unbreakable bond"

(Politico).After weeks of strain in the U.S.-Israel relationship, President Barack Obama offered a quite warm statement congratulating the Israeli government and people on their 62nd years of independence, reasserting the U.S.-Israel special relationship and strong unbreakable bond between the two countries, and offering his best wishes personally to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Shimon Peres.

"Minutes after David Ben-Gurion declared Israel’s independence, realizing the dream of a state for the Jewish people in their historic homeland, the United States became the first country to recognize Israel,To this day, we continue to share a strong, unbreakable bond of friendship between our two nations, anchored by the United States’ enduring commitment to Israel’s security."

"Israel remains our important partner and key strategic ally in the Middle East, and I am confident that our special relationship will only be strengthened in the months and years to come,".

"I look forward to continuing our efforts with Israel to achieve comprehensive peace and security in the region, including a two-state solution, and to working together to counter the forces that threaten Israel, the United States, and the world,". said.

"On this day, we once again honor the extraordinary achievements of the people of Israel, and their deep and abiding friendship with the American people. I offer my best wishes to President Peres, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the people of Israel as they celebrate this happy occasion."