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Clinton: Israel's Right to Defend Itself Is Not Negotiable

(State Department) Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told the American Jewish Committee Thursday: "President Obama noted recently that there has been some of what he called 'noise and distortion' about this administration's approach in the Middle East. Over the past month, we have attempted to remove any ambiguity. The president and this administration have repeatedly reaffirmed our commitment to Israel's security in word and in deed." "We have spoken out forcefully about the grave dangers of Syria's transfer of weapons to Hizbullah. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms and have expressed our concerns directly to the Syrian government. Transferring weapons to these terrorists - especially longer-range missiles - would pose a serious threat to the security of Israel....We do not accept such provocative and destabilizing behavior - nor should the international community." "Regional peace must begin with the recognition by every party that the United States will always stand behind Israel's security and, as President Obama put it recently, 'no wedge will be driven between us. Now, we will have our differences, but when we do, we will work to resolve them as close allies.' Israel's right to exist, and to defend itself, is not negotiable. And no lasting peace will be possible unless that fact is accepted. But similarly, Palestinians must have a state of their own. They must be able to travel, conduct business, govern themselves, and enjoy the dignity of a sovereign people. There can be no equivocating on this either....We know we cannot and will not impose a solution. It is up to the parties themselves."
2010-04-30 08:40:03
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