We have
recently marked the 20th anniversary of the assassination of then Israeli prime
minister Yitzhak Rabin, a good friend, a courageous warrior and a great
statesman. This somber anniversary, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s
visit to Washington on November 9, is an opportunity to reaffirm the
unbreakable bonds of friendship and unity between the people and governments of
the United States and Israel.
The alliance
between our two nations transcends politics. It is and should always be a
commitment that unites us, not a wedge that divides us.
Ever since
President Truman waited only 11 minutes to recognize the new nation of Israel
in 1948, Americans have believed that Israel is more than a country — it’s a
dream nurtured for generations and made real by men and women who refused to
bow to the toughest odds.
My first
visit to Israel, in December 1981, sparked an enduring emotional connection for
me — to the land and its people — and admiration for how Israelis have built a
thriving democracy in a region full of adversaries and autocrats. I was so
impressed with the Israeli approach to early childhood education and to helping
parents become their children’s first teachers that I worked to bring the Home
Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (commonly known by its acronym,
HIPPY) to Arkansas. Over the past 30 years, I’ve worked with Israelis of all
stripes and made dear friends like the Rabins and many others inside and
outside of government.
On that
first trip, Bill and I fell in love with Jerusalem as we walked the ancient
streets of the Old City. Even amid all the history and traditions, it was a
city pulsing with life and energy. I am appalled that those same streets are
now filled with terrorism and fear. We now hear of daily stabbings and
shootings of innocent civilians — teenagers, parents and senior citizens.
Israelis have to look over their shoulders during everyday tasks, like carrying
groceries and waiting for the bus. Some American citizens are among the
victims, including Richard Lakin, a teacher and advocate who spent years
working for tolerance and understanding.
This
violence must not be allowed to continue. It needs to stop immediately, and
Israelis and Palestinians must move back toward the path of peaceful reconciliation.
All parties and the international community should condemn any political and
religious leader who stokes tensions with irresponsible rhetoric. Many of us
have seen the video of a cleric encouraging worshippers to stab Jews as he
waves a knife in the air. This incitement needs to end, period.
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I have stood
with Israel my entire career. As a senator, I fought to get Magen David Adom
accepted to the International Red Cross when other nations tried to exclude the
organization. I wrote and co-sponsored bills that isolated terror groups, and
pushed to crack down on incitement in Palestinian textbooks and schools. As
secretary of state, I requested more assistance for Israel every year, and
supported the lifesaving Iron Dome rocket defense system. I defended Israel
from isolation and attacks at the United Nations and other international
settings, including opposing the biased Goldstone report.
On behalf of
President Obama, I convened Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud
Abbas for three sessions of face-to-face peace talks, the last time that’s ever
happened. And in 2012 I led negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza to stop Hamas
rockets from raining down on Israeli homes and communities.
As
president, I will continue this fight.
I am deeply
committed to Israel’s future as a secure and democratic Jewish state, and just
as convinced that the only way to guarantee that outcome is through diplomacy.
And while no solution can be imposed from outside, I believe the United States
has a responsibility to help bring Israelis and Palestinians to the table and
to encourage the difficult but necessary decisions that will lead to peace. As
president I will never stop working to advance the goal of two states for two
peoples living in peace, security and dignity.
I will do
everything I can to enhance our strategic partnership and strengthen America’s
security commitment to Israel, ensuring that it always has the qualitative
military edge to defend itself. That includes immediately dispatching a
delegation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to meet with senior Israeli commanders.
I would also invite the Israeli prime minister to the White House in my first
month in office.
The dangers
facing both our nations in the Middle East require bold and united responses.
We must remain committed to preventing Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear
weapon, and to vigorously enforcing the new nuclear agreement. I would move to
step up our partnership to confront Iran and its proxies across the region, and
make sure dangerous Russian and Iranian weapons don’t end up in Hezbollah’s
hands or threaten Israel. I also will combat growing efforts to isolate Israel
internationally and to undermine its future as a Jewish state, including the
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. I’ve spoken out against BDS in the
United States and at the U.N., and will continue to do so.
For me,
fighting for Israel isn’t just about policy — it’s a personal commitment to the
friendship between our peoples and our vision for peace and security.
Hillary
Clinton is running for the Democratic nomination for president.
The views
and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not
necessarily reflect those of the Forward.
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