President Obama in Israel: Day 1

Jacob Miller — March 20, 2013 – 4:49 pm | Barack Obama | Foreign Policy | Israel Comments (0) Add a comment

Early this afternoon President Barack Obama arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The President was warmly welcomed by Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke first and expressed his thanks to President Obama:

Thank you for unequivocally affirming Israel’s sovereign right to defend itself by itself against any threat. Thank you for enhancing Israel’s ability to exercise that right through generous military assistance, revolutionary missile defense programs, and unprecedented security and intelligence cooperation.

Thank you, Mr. President, for upholding the Jewish people’s right to a Jewish state in our historic homeland, and for boldly defending that right at the United Nations. And thank you for strengthening the unbreakable alliance between our two nations during your Presidency.

President Peres also expressed his gratitude for President Obama’s long standing support of Israel saying, “You are a historic friend of Israel, of the Jewish People.” Peres also said:

We welcome you as a great President of the United States of America. As a remarkable world leader. As a historic friend of Israel. Of the Jewish People. 

Your visit here is a crown demonstration of the profound relationship between our two nations.

The people of Israel welcome you with open hearts. From the depth of our hearts, From the depths of our history, “תודה רבה” Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, America.

Thank you for what you are. Thank you for what you do…

In times of peace, in times of war, your support for Israel is unshakeable…Mr. President, Wherever you go in our land, you will meet the friendship and warmth of the people of Israel. Mr. President, The people of Israel want you to feel at home. So, welcome home Mr. President.

President Obama also delivered remarks at the opening ceremony:

I want to begin right now, by answering a question that is sometimes asked about our relationship—why?  Why does the United States stand so strongly, so firmly with the State of Israel?  And the answer is simple.  We stand together because we share a common story—patriots determined “to be a free people in our land,” pioneers who forged a nation, heroes who sacrificed to preserve our freedom, and immigrants from every corner of the world who renew constantly our diverse societies.

We stand together because we are democracies.  For as noisy and messy as it may be, we know that democracy is the greatest form of government ever devised by man. 

We stand together because it makes us more prosperous.  Our trade and investment create jobs for both our peoples.  Our partnerships in science and medicine and health bring us closer to new cures, harness new energy and have helped transform us into high-tech hubs of our global economy.

We stand together because we share a commitment to helping our fellow human beings around the world.  When the earth shakes and the floods come, our doctors and rescuers reach out to help. When people are suffering, from Africa to Asia, we partner to fight disease and overcome hunger.

And we stand together because peace must come to the Holy Land.  For even as we are clear-eyed about the difficulty, we will never lose sight of the vision of an Israel at peace with its neighbors.

So as I begin this visit, let me say as clearly as I can—the United States of America stands with the State of Israel because it is in our fundamental national security interest to stand with Israel.  It makes us both stronger.  It makes us both more prosperous.  And it makes the world a better place.

That’s why the United States was the very first nation to recognize the State of Israel 65 years ago.  That’s why the Star of David and the Stars and Stripes fly together today.  And that is why I’m confident in declaring that our alliance is eternal, it is forever - lanetzach

 

Photo Credit: AFP

After the ceremony, President Obama, President Peres and Prime Minister Netanyahu toured an Iron Dome battery stationed at Ben Gurion Airport. President Obama praised the soldiers manning the battery and said that they are, “doing an amazing job.”

Photo Credit: Israel Foreign Ministry

President Obama then traveled to President Peres’ residence and signed the guest book. He also participated in a tree planting ceremony representing the continuing bond of the United States and Israel. After the Presidents met, they delivered statements.

President Peres said:

There is a common vision uniting us: to confront the dangers, to bring peace…We trust your [on Iran] policy which calls to try by nonmilitary means with a clear statement that other options remain on the table.

President Obama Said:

[President Peres is a] champion on behalf of the Israeli people, champion on behalf of peace…I am especially thankful for the time you allowed me to share with the Israeli boys and girls. They want to be safe, free from rockets; they want a world where science and technology are used for peace, for learning…The state of Israel will have no greater friend than the United States.

 

Photo credit: Israeli Foreign Ministry

Following the meeting, President Obama traveled to the residence of Prime Minister Netanyahu and signed the guest book. President Obama wrote:

It is a great honor to reaffirm the extraordinary bonds between our two countries. By every measure, from security to our economy, our cooperation has never been greater and this in part is because of the strong commitment of Prime Minister Netanyahu. May our bonds continue to grow . On behalf of our people and prosperity for all people.

Afterward he toured the residence and held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister. At the conclusion of the meeting, the President and Prime Minister held a joint press conference, during which President Obama stated:

Today our military and intelligence personnel cooperate more closely than ever before. We conduct more joint exercises and training than ever before. We’re providing more security assistance and advanced tech to Israel than ever before. And that includes more support for the missile defenses like Iron Dome which I saw today and has saved so many Israeli lives.

President Obama announced continued American assistance with Iron Dome:

As part of our long-term commitment to Israel’s security, the PM and I agreed extending military assistance to Israel. Our current agreement lasts through 2017 and we’ve directed our teams to start working on extending it for the years beyond. I’m also pleased to announce we will take steps to ensure there’s no interruption of funding for Iron Dome. As a result of decisions that I made last year, Israel will receive approximately $250 million this fiscal year and we will continue to work with Congress on future funding of Iron Dome…These are further reminders that we will help to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge so that Israel can defend itself by itself against any threat. 

He also said:

Mr. Prime Minister, like families across Israel, you and your family have served and sacrificed to defend your country, and to pass it safe and strong to your children just as it was passed on to you. Standing here today I can say with confidence that Israel’s security is guaranteed because it has a great deal on its side, including the unwavering support of the United States of America.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said:

I want to thank you once again for always making clear that Israel must be able to defend itself by itself against any threats. I deeply appreciate those words because they speak to the great transformation that has occurred in the life of the Jewish people with the rebirth of the Jewish state. The Jewish people only two generations ago were once a powerless people, defenseless against those who sought our destruction. Today we have both the right and the capability to defend ourselves. As you said earlier today, the essence of the State of Israel, the essence of the rebirth of the Jewish state, is the fulfillment of the age-old dream of the Jewish people: to be masters of our fate in our own state, and I think that was a wonderful line that I will cherish, because it really gets down to the essence of what this state is about.

That is why I know that you appreciate that Israel never cede the right to defend ourselves to others, even to the greatest of our friends, and Israel has no better friend than the United States of America.

So I look forward to continue to work with you to address what is an existential threat to Israel, and a great threat to the peace and security of the world.

You have come here on the eve of Passover. I’ve always considered it as our most cherished holiday. It celebrates the Jewish people’s passage from slavery to freedom. Through the ages, it has also inspired people struggling for freedom, including the founding fathers of the United States. So it’s a profound honor to host you, the leader of the free world, at this historic time in our ancient capital.

After the press conference, President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu continued their discussions over dinner:

Photo credit: Prime Minister’s Office

President Obama’s first day in Israel concluded with a working dinner with Prime Minister Netanyahu. NJDC executive Director Aaron Keyak commented from Jerusalem:

“Today, President Obama made clear to Israelis—and the enemies who want to murder them —that he is completely committed the safety and security of the Jewish state. From announcing new discussions on a 10-year security aid agreement to reiterating his promise to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, the President has used his first day in Israel to its full potential.

Stayed tuned tomorrow for an overview of the President’s second day in Israel.

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