AJC Hails Biden's Tel Aviv Address

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Mar 11, 2010, 01:08 ET

NEW YORK, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Jewish Committee hailed Vice President Joseph Biden's milestone speech on Middle East policy at Tel Aviv University today. Biden is the most senior Obama Administration official to visit Israel.

"Vice President Biden delivered a powerful, moving, and timely affirmation that the State of Israel has no better friend than the United States of America," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "President Obama's assignment of the Vice President to convey this message was a reflection of the Vice President's commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship throughout his career in public service - and of the importance of highlighting America's alliance with Israel."

In his wide-ranging speech, Biden stressed his longstanding and profound empathy for Israel and its history. U.S.-Israel ties are "impervious to any shifts in either country, and in either country's partisan politics," he said. Personally addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Vice President said, "Bibi, you heard me say before, progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the U.S. and Israel. There is no space between the U.S. and Israel when it comes to Israel's security."

On the critical issue of Iran, Biden reiterated America's determination "to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."

Addressing the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace, the Vice President urged both sides to be "historically bold" and acknowledged the importance of Prime Minister Netanyahu's ten-month moratorium limiting settlement construction.

Biden repeated the strong condemnation he issued earlier this week of Israel's announcement to build new homes in eastern Jerusalem, which blindsided the U.S. Administration and injected a note of discord into his visit. At the same time, the Vice President warmly recognized Netanyahu's response to the disagreement, saying, "Sometimes only a friend can deliver the hardest truths."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee