Obama Series

Carter Palestine Israel Series

06.04.08: Sen. Barack Obama speech to AIPAC, Exceprts

American Israel Public Affairs Committee

Today I'll be speaking from my heart, and as a true friend of Israel. And I know that when I visit with AIPAC, I am among friends. Good friends. Friends who share my strong commitment to make sure that the bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable today, tomorrow and forever.

I was drawn to the belief that you could sustain a spiritual, emotional and cultural identity. And I deeply understood the Zionist idea — that there is always a homeland at the center of our story.

We cannot relent, we cannot yield, and as president I will never compromise when it comes to Israel's security.

Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values. Those who threaten Israel threaten us. I will bring to the White House an unshakeable commitment to Israel's security.

That starts with ensuring Israel's qualitative military advantage. I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat — from Gaza to Tehran. Defense cooperation between the United States and Israel is a model of success, and must be deepened. As president, I will implement a Memorandum of Understanding that provides $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade — investments to Israel's security that will not be tied to any other nation. And I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself in the United Nations and around the world.

I opposed holding elections in 2006 with Hamas on the ballot. The Israelis and the Palestinian Authority warned us at the time against holding these elections. But this administration pressed ahead, and the result is a Gaza controlled by Hamas, with rockets raining down on Israel.

Let me be clear. Israel's security is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable.

Let there be no doubt: I will always keep the threat of military action on the table to defend our security and our ally Israel.

Now is the time to stand by Israel as it writes the next chapter in its extraordinary journey.

04.16.08: Obama-Clinton Debate, Excerpts

SENATOR OBAMA:

As I've said before, I think it is very important that Iran understands that an attack on Israel is an attack on our strongest ally in the region, one that we -- one whose security we consider paramount, and that -- that would be an act of aggression that we -- that I would -- that I would consider an attack that is unacceptable, and the United States would take appropriate action.

SENATOR CLINTON:

Of course I would make it clear to the Iranians that an attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation from the United States.

We will let the Iranians know that, yes, an attack on Israel would trigger massive retaliation.