President Obama’s Answers to AJC Questionnaire Demonstrate True Friendship to Israel

Gabe Cahn — October 23, 2012 – 10:30 am | Barack Obama | Election 2012 | Foreign Policy | Iran | Israel | Terrorism Comments (0) Add a comment

President Barack Obama responded to the American Jewish Committee questionnaire and outlined his positions on various issues spanning from the Iranian nuclear program to anti-Semitism in the 21^st century. Below are some excerpts from his answers: 

On Iran

We have led the international community in putting in place the toughest and most comprehensive sanctions in history on Iran…

I’ve been absolutely clear that containment is not my policy, and that all options are on the table to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. I am prepared to use all elements of American power to do so, including a political effort to further isolate Iran, a diplomatic effort to sustain our coalition, an economic effort that has imposed crippling sanctions, and a military effort to be prepared for any contingency.

I believe we have a responsibility to use the time and space that exists now - when both we and the Israelis judge the Iranians do not yet have a nuclear weapon - to try to get a diplomatic solution to this situation. Indeed, history shows that diplomacy is the surest way to permanently change a nation’s calculus with respect to pursuing nuclear weapons. But even as seek a diplomatic solution, we will continue to heighten the pressure on the Iranian government with every available tool. While it is true that, as president, I have a deeply held preference for peace over war, I have also made clear time and again that I will not hesitate to use force when it is necessary to defend the United States and its interests.

On U.S.-Israel Relations

The United States and Israel share a deep and enduring friendship built on mutual interests and values - and America’s commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable. I have a deep understanding of the grave threats that Israel faces, and I have been steadfast in supporting its right to defend itself. Israel’s security is non-negotiable.

I will do whatever it takes to ensure that Israel always has the ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat. That’s why my Administration has sent Israel the largest security assistance packages in its history, even in these tough budgetary times here at home. My administration is funding the Iron Dome system that stops rockets fired by Hamas and Hezbollah from harming innocent Israelis. Our military and intelligence cooperation has never been closer, and we have worked to ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region. And we stand united in working to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.

I have also stood with Israel in the international community when others have tried to delegitimize its right to exist or to unfairly criticize its actions. I’ve often stood alone in supporting Israel, and I will continue to do so because it’s the right thing to do. When Israeli diplomats feared for their lives in Cairo, we intervened to save them. When one-sided and anti-Israel resolutions are brought up at the UN Human Rights Council, we oppose them. When the Goldstone report unfairly singled out Israel for criticism, we challenged it. And when the Palestinians attempted to circumvent direct negotiations with Israel and pursue statehood unilaterally at the United Nations, we rallied our partners and allies to block their efforts.

On Palestinian-Israeli Peace Process

I continue to believe that lasting peace will only come from direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians themselves and not from unilateral Palestinian actions at the United Nations. That is why I made it clear that there can be no short-cuts to peace, and called on the world to recognize the legitimacy of Israel and its security concerns as a Jewish, democratic state.

We cannot impose peace or any final status details on the Israelis and Palestinians. Ultimately, it is up to the two parties to take action. Final status issues can only be resolved by the Israelis and Palestinians themselves. What we can do is state frankly what is widely known: that a lasting peace will involve two sovereign, independent states. And I am convinced that the majority of Israelis and Palestinians would rather look to the future than be trapped in the past. However, my Administration has made it clear that Israelis cannot be expected to negotiate with a partner that refuses to recognize its right to exist. That’s why it’s imperative that Hamas abides by the Quartet conditions to renounce violence, recognize Israel’s right to exist, and abide by past agreements.

On Anti-Semitism

‘Never again’ is a challenge to reject hatred in all of its forms - including anti-Semitism, which has no place in a civilized world. It is a challenge to defend the fundamental right of free people and free nations to exist in peace and security - and that includes the State of Israel. I’ll never forget what I saw at Buchenwald, where so many perished with the words of Sh’ma Yisrael on their lips. I’ve stood with survivors in the old Warsaw ghettos, and I’ve walked those sacred grounds at Yad Vashem. The Holocaust cannot be denied, and it cannot be forgotten.

The United States must always be on the front lines in standing against anti-Semitism. When children are taught anti-Semitism, we will speak out against it. When efforts are made to equate Zionism with racism, we reject them. When international bodies single out Israel with unfair resolutions, we vote against them. When attempts are made to delegitimize Israel, we oppose them. When faced today with a regime in Tehran that denies the Holocaust and threatens to wipe Israel off the map, we make it clear we will do whatever is necessary to make sure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon, putting our security and the security of our allies at risk.

On Terrorism

My highest priority as Commander-in-Chief is to protect the American people from the threats we face. That’s why, upon taking office, I re-focused our efforts on taking the fight to al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan and to decimating the group that attacked us on 9/11.America is safer today because Osama bin Laden and more than two-thirds of the top leaders of core al-Qaeda have been taken off the battlefield. But we will remain vigilant, because we know the threat of terrorism has not been erased completely.

At the same time we aggressively pursue those who wish to do us harm, I have made it clear that the United States is not, and never will be, at war with Islam. We reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And al-Qaeda has killed people of many faiths - but more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Going forward, we know that our best offense will not involve deploying large ground forces abroad but delivering targeted pressure to those who threaten our security.

To read the full questionnaire, click here.

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