The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) strongly supports President Bush’s comments in his weekly radio address backing Israel’s quest for peace and its right to self-defense against Hamas’ vicious terrorism.
AIPAC applauds the numerous statements by the Bush administration and the bipartisan leadership of Congress standing by America's democratic ally Israel, which is defending its citizens from an Iranian-backed terrorist group that rejects peace and works for Israel’s destruction.
AIPAC stands with President-elect Barack Obama who stated so clearly when he visited Sderot last year, “If somebody was sending rockets into my house, where my two daughters sleep at night, I’m going to do everything in my power to stop that. And I would expect Israelis to do the same thing.”
In addition to his support for Israel’s right to self-defense, President Bush has made clear that any durable, sustainable outcome requires an end to Hamas’ terror attacks and weapons smuggling. “Another one-way ceasefire that leads to rocket attacks on Israel is not acceptable. And promises from Hamas will not suffice -- there must be monitoring mechanisms in place to help ensure that smuggling of weapons to terrorist groups in Gaza comes to an end.”
Israel has exercised great restraint and patience as its citizens have been exposed to withering bombardment by Hamas terrorists over the past seven years. And in its targeted response, Israel is going to great length to strike the terrorists while sparing their hostages, the Palestinians of Gaza who seek peace, and with whom Israel seeks peace.
AIPAC urges Congress and the Administration to stand firmly with Israel as it strives to defend itself against a renewed assault by Hamas terrorists.
“AIPAC is outraged that the U.N. Security Council failed to recognize Israel’s right to self-defense in its statement on Sunday, a right enshrined in the U.N.’s founding charter,” said AIPAC President David Victor. “Moving forward, we urge the administration to stand with Israel at the United Nations as it acts to defend itself in the face of continued violence from Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. It is important that we never equate Israeli defensive measures with Hamas terrorism.”
“We applaud the bipartisan coalition of American leaders who have stood up in support of Israel’s right to defend its citizens, a clear sign of the strong ties between the United States and Israel,” Victor added.
AIPAC assists the media with frequently updated briefs on important issues affecting the Middle East and U.S.-Israel relations. Press releases, statements, issues analysis and other useful resources are also available.
Obama on NBC's Meet the Press
Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and threats against Israel stand "contrary to everything" the United States believes in, President-elect Barack Obama told NBC's Meet the Press earlier this month. "We need to ratchet up tough but direct diplomacy with Iran, making very clear to them that their development of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable, that their funding of terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hizballah, their threats against Israel, are contrary to everything that we believe in and what the international community should accept, and present a set of carrots and sticks, in changing their calculus about how they want to operate,” Obama said. “In order for us to change Iran's behavior, we may have to tighten up those sanctions. But we are willing to talk to them directly and give them a clear choice and, ultimately, let them make a determination in terms of whether they want to do this the hard way or the easy way." Watch President-elect Barack Obama on NBC's Meet the Press.
January 8th 2009
Hamas officials say PA President Abbas’ term ends and will refuse to recognize his authority.
February 10th 2009
Israel’s General Election.
February 13th 2009
One year marking death of Hizballah commander Imad Moughniyah.
March 2nd 2009
Newly elected Israeli Government/Parliament convenes.
March 2nd 2009
IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna. Report on Iran nuclear program expected.
AIPAC Press Office
press@aipac.org
Israeli civilians in Sderot worry that a Qassam rocket could strike at any moment. Listen to exclusive interviews with people whose hometown is under constant threat of attack.
