Hillary Clinton’s “unprecedented” record of support for Israel encompasses unfaltering support of Israel’s right to defend itself, forceful rejection of Iran’s push for nuclear weapons, and dedicated leadership in fighting for Israel on human rights issues. As Secretary of State, Hillary’s determination to halt Iran’s march towards nuclear armament persevered. Since leaving the State Department, Hillary’s long-lasting bond with the Jewish community has continued.
“Welcome, Hillary. You are a great friend and a great champion of peace.”
-Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, 10/13/09
Unwavering Support
Sec. Clinton: “We are steadfast in our commitment to Israel’s security, which is a cornerstone of our foreign policy in the Middle East.” “Israel and the United States are united by a deep and unbreakable bond based on mutual interests and respect. Our relationship grows stronger every day as we work to promote regional security, create new economic partnerships, increase two-way trade and broaden our energy cooperation. We are steadfast in our commitment to Israel’s security, which is a cornerstone of our foreign policy in the Middle East.” [Clinton statement, 4/25/12]
Sec. Clinton: “This relationship is deepening every day.” “Sixty-three years ago the United States was the first country to recognize Israel’s independence, and that spirit of kinship continues to guide us today. Our two countries are united by a deep, unshakable friendship and bond. We are bound together by our shared values and history pursuing freedom, equality and democracy. And this relationship is deepening every day. Whether it’s our security partnerships or the expanding economic and trade collaborations – our work together is securing a brighter future for all our people.” [Clinton statement, 5/8/11]
Sec. Clinton condemned the Human Rights Council’s “structural bias against Israel.” According to Sec. Clinton’s remarks at the Human Rights Council, “And I must add, the structural bias against Israel – including a standing agenda item for Israel, whereas all other countries are treated under a common item – is wrong. And it undermines the important work we are trying to do together. As member states, we can take this Council in a better, stronger direction.” [Sec. Clinton’s Remarks at the Human Rights Council, 2/28/11]
Sec. Clinton: U.S. and Israel had almost daily coordination on security issues. According to the New York Times, “Her visit, which capped a grueling 13-day, nine-country tour, was part of a parade of top United States officials through the Israeli capital this month intended to underline what Mrs. Clinton described as ‘almost daily’ coordination on security issues between the countries. Coming on the heels of her meeting with the new Islamist president of Egypt, and amid what she repeatedly called ‘unprecedented change’ in the Middle East, many of the meetings focused on Egypt’s precarious treaty with Israel as well as Iran’s nuclear program.” [New York Times, 7/16/12]
Sec. Clinton urged an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, saying “‘the status quo is unsustainable.’” According to the New York Times, “Visiting Israel for the first time in nearly two years, with the Palestinian peace process seemingly on perpetual hold, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that “the status quo is unsustainable” and urged leaders from both sides back to negotiations.” [New York Times, 7/16/12]
Post-State Department
Since leaving State, Hillary has been “well-received” by a number of Jewish groups. “Since leaving the State Department, Clinton has appeared at a number of fundraiser for Jewish groups where she has been well-received. In October 2013, Clinton was the keynote speaker at the $5,000-a-plate Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago Vanguard fundraising luncheon. In January 2014, Clinton was one of a few speakers at the memorial service for Samuel Bronfman, a longtime Clinton supporter and stalwart in the Jewish community. A Jewish leader in New York who attended the event told CNN that speaking at the memorial was a ‘huge coup’ for Clinton because ‘everyone who is anyone in the Jewish community will be there.’” [CNN, 3/18/14]
Hillary Clinton attended the 2014 Saban Forum and addressed the U.S.-Israeli relationship. “In a discussion with Saban Forum Chairman Haim Saban before an audience of Americans and Israelis, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton championed the Obama administration’s efforts to advance a nuclear deal with Iran, and downplayed reports of frictions between the American and Israeli leaderships as the healthy consequence of ‘two raucous democracies.’ […] The former secretary of state also addressed the U.S.-Israeli relationship — the central focus for the forum — detailing the cooperation between the two governments and arguing that ‘nobody can argue with the commitment of this administration to Israel’s security.’” [Saban Forum 2014, Brookings Institution, 12/7/14]
Hillary Clinton addressed the pro-Israel American Jewish Committee. In 2014, Hillary Clinton addressed the closing plenary of the AJC Global Forum. “Clinton detailed her diplomatic work to slow Iran’s nuclear development and her attempts to lay the groundwork for peace in the Middle East. ‘When I left as secretary and passed the baton on to Secretary Kerry, we were positioned to really explore whether we had set the table well enough to see changes that were sufficient to meet our legitimate objections to Iran’s behavior and its future plans,’ Clinton said, referring to her successor, John F. Kerry.” [AJC, 5/16/14; Washington Post, 5/14/14]
Hillary was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award by the American Jewish Congress. “Clinton will have a chance to tout her bona fides with Jewish-Americans on Wednesday when she is honored by Jack Rosen, the head of American Jewish Congress, at an event in New York City.” Hillary Clinton received the American Jewish Congress’s “Stephen S. Wise Award for Lifetime Achievement.” [CNN, 3/18/14; AJC website, accessed 3/18/14]
As Secretary of State
Tough on Iran
Secretary Clinton built and maintained a coalition to enact the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history. Secretary Clinton helped impose the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history by getting Russia and China on board. Even the Wall Street Journal editorial board noted that, “Clinton surely pulled out every stop to get Russia and particularly China…on board.” And as Howard Dean recently told CNN, “Hillary Clinton cranked up the sanctions for the first time under President Obama that actually made the Iranians come to the table.”
Sec. Clinton: Iran left the world “no recourse but to apply penalties aimed at curbing a fast-track nuclear program.” According to CBS News, “Iran leaves the world no recourse but to apply penalties aimed at curbing a fast-track nuclear program, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday. In London ostensibly for conferences on Afghanistan and Yemen, Clinton has devoted significant time to Iran ahead of a U.S.-led sanctions push at the United Nations expected by the end of the week. … U.S. officials are preparing to circulate an outline of tough new Iran sanctions at the U.N. The proposed measures would target elements of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps with new measures and would target the financial and energy sectors under existing sanctions resolutions, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because discussions were ongoing.” [CBS News, 1/29/10]
Sec. Clinton: Sanctions were diplomacy and “we need that kind of international front against Iran.” According to Sec. Clinton’s Remarks on Nuclear Nonproliferation at the University of Louisville, “So people – a lot of my counterparts around the world say, ‘Well, we don’t – want to try to solve this diplomatically.’ Well, sanctions, using the United Nations Security Council, is diplomacy and it’s international diplomacy. And we need that kind of international front against Iran, and that’s what we’re attempting to put together in the Security Council.” [Sec. Clinton’s Remarks on Nuclear Nonproliferation at the University of Louisville, 4/9/10]
Sec. Clinton: The new START treaty could play a role in persuading other nations to support serious sanctions against Iran. According to Sec. Clinton’s remarks on nuclear nonproliferation at the University of Louisville, “Now, I’m not suggesting that a move by the United States and Russia to reduce our nuclear stockpiles will convince Iran or North Korea to change their behavior. But ask yourselves, can our efforts help to bring not only the new START treaty into force, but by doing so help persuade other nations to support serious sanctions against Iran? I believe they could. And since I’m on the phone or in meetings constantly with heads of state or government, foreign ministers and others, making the case that they must join us in these strong sanctions against Iran, I know from firsthand experience that this START treaty has left little room for some nations to hide. They are finding it more and more difficult to make the case that they don’t have their own responsibilities.” [Sec. Clinton’s Remarks on Nuclear Nonproliferation at the University of Louisville, 4/9/10]
Netanyahu: Our common effort was making “sure that Iran not achieve its ambition of developing nuclear weapons.” According to the LA Times, “Iran says its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only. U.S. officials disagree, but believe there is still time for diplomacy and worry that a unilateral Israeli attack would spark a regional war. In recent weeks, Israeli officials have softened their rhetoric about attacking Iran, though they insist that the option remains on the table. In remarks before his meeting with Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of ‘our common effort to make sure that Iran not achieve its ambition of developing nuclear weapons.’” [LA Times, 7/16/12]
Sec. Clinton: U.S. and Israel were “on the same page at this moment” on how to deal with Iran. According to the LA Times, “Wrapping up a whirlwind trip to Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that the U.S. and Israel are ‘on the same page at this moment’ in terms of how to deal with Iran and vowed to use ‘all elements of American power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.’” [LA Times, 7/16/12]
Platt: Sec. Clinton “made it clear that U.S. policy ‘is one of prevention, not containment’…America is on record declaring that it cannot live with nuclear Iran.” According an op-ed by Lilli Platt, director of the American Jewish Committee, Long Island, “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, for her part, has made it clear that U.S. policy ‘is one of prevention, not containment’ – that is, America is on record declaring that it cannot live with a nuclear Iran. Clinton has sent Iran a warning that it better mean business this time. ‘We enter into these talks with a sober perspective about Iran’s intentions,’ she said. ‘It is incumbent upon Iran to demonstrate by its actions that it is a willing partner and to participate in these negotiations with an effort to obtain concrete results.’” [Lilli Platt op-ed, Newsday, 4/10/12]
Gaza
Secretary Clinton helped avert all-out war in Gaza by negotiating a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians. In November 2012, after eight days of violence, Secretary Clinton negotiated a Gaza cease-fire with Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi. In an article titled “Hillary Clinton scores Gaza cease fire success,” Politico noted that, “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton got a Gaza cease-fire right at the moment hope seemed dead for a rapid end to the violence…” [Politico, 11/21/12]
Nolan: “Clinton scored another diplomatic victory” working with Israel, President Morsi to end fighting with Hamas. According to a Robert Nolan op-ed for US News, “Clinton scored another diplomatic victory in her recent trip to the Middle East, where she worked with Israeli leaders and Egypt’s new President Mohamed Morsi to put an end to a week of fighting between Hamas and Israel.” [Robert Nolan, US News, 12/13/12]
As a Senator
Inspired by the Israeli People
Sec. Clinton: I will not forget “the Israeli victims of terrorism I met over the years.” In her book Hard Chocies, Secretary Clinton wrote, “Nor will I forget the Israeli victims of terrorism I met over the years. I’ve held their hands in hospital rooms and listened to doctors describe how much shrapnel was left in a leg, arm, or head. I visited a bombed-out pizzeria in Jerusalem in February 2002 during some of the darkest days of the second intifada, in which a few thousand Palestinians and about a thousand Israelis were killed between 2000 and 2005. And I’ve walked along the security fence near Gilo and talked to families who knew a rocket could fall on their home at any moment. These experiences will always be with me.” [Hard Choices, pg. 303, 2014]
Sec. Clinton: Israel’s story is “the story of all people who struggle for freedom and the right to chart their own destinies.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “I am not alone in feeling so personally invested in Israel’s security and success. Many Americans admire Israel as a homeland for a people long oppressed and a democracy that has had to defend itself at every turn. In Israel’s story we see our own, and the story of all people who struggle for freedom and the right to chart their own destinies. That’s why President Harry Truman waited only eleven minutes to recognize the new nation of Israel in 1948. 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 of odds. It’s also a thriving economy that’s a model for how innovation, entrepreneurship, and democracy can deliver prosperity even in unforgiving circumstances.” [Hard Choices, pg. 304, 2014]
Magen David Adom
A young Israeli medic inspired Sec. Clinton to begin a successful campaign “to convince the International Red Cross to admit MDA as a full voting member.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “Here’s just one story of an Israeli who touched my life. In 2002, I met Yochai Porat. He was only twenty-six but already a senior medic with MDA, Israel’s emergency medical service. He oversaw a program to train foreign volunteers as first responders in Israel. I attended the program’s graduation ceremonies and remember the pride in his face as yet another group of young people set off to save lives. Yochai was also a reservist with the Israel Defense Forces. A week after we met, he was killed by a sniper near a roadblock, along with other soldiers and civilians. MDA renamed its overseas volunteer program in his memory. When I visited again in 2005, I met with Yochai’s family, who spoke passionately about how important it was to continue supporting the MDA and its mission. I went home and began a campaign to convince the International Red Cross to admit MDA as a full voting member after half a century of exclusion. In 2006, they agreed.” [Hard Choices, pg. 303, 2014]
Hillary led the fight to force the re-admittance of Magen David Adom to the International Red Cross. “Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has gained an important ally in her efforts on behalf of Israel’s Magen David Adom. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), whose husband challenged Clinton’s husband for president, signed onto Clinton’s amendment to force the acceptance of MDA into the International Committee of the Red Cross. Dole was formerly director of the American Red Cross. Her husband, Sen. Bob Dole, lost the 1996 presidential race to Bill Clinton. Clinton’s amendment to the Omnibus Spending Bill, also sponsored by Illinois Republican Pete Fitzgerald, calls for withholding the American Red Cross contribution to the ICRC until Magen David is permitted to join without changing its Star of David emblem. ‘I have seen firsthand the work done by Magen David Adom in disaster assistance worldwide,’ said Clinton. ‘I personally will not rest until it is allowed into the ICRC.’ The Senate passed the amendment Jan. 23.” [The Jewish Week, 2/7/03]
Outspoken Defender
Hillary was an “outspoken defender of Israel” in the Senate. “Clinton was an outspoken defender of Israel and representative for American Jews for eight years in the Senate. But it wasn’t always that way. She had to work hard for Jewish support in 2000 as the New York Jewish community was skeptical of her support for Israel and publicly wondered whether the former first lady was too sympathetic with the Palestinians. But by the time she ran for president in 2008, a number of Jewish Democrats said her record with the community was unprecedented. Touting her foreign policy credentials and defense of Israel, Jewish leaders flocked to Clinton as she ran against Barack Obama in the Democratic primaries.” [CNN, 3/18/14]
As a presidential candidate, Hillary’s strong record on supporting Israel was touted by some as “unprecedented.” “[B]y the time she ran for president in 2008, a number of Jewish Democrats said her record with the community was unprecedented.” [CNN, 3/18/14]
Hillary was an early supporter of Israel’s right to build a security barrier. “[Hillary Clinton] has moved to solidify her position by becoming an early supporter of the Israel separation barrier.” [New York Times, 11/13/05]
Hillary joined Palestinian Media Watch in exposing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic biases in Palestinian schools. “It is my privilege once again to join Palestinian Media Watch for this press conference, and for the latest report that they have compiled about the Palestinian textbooks. Director Itamar Marcus, who has been a steadfast leader, has helped to deliver this message which we repeat again today – we must stop the propaganda to which Palestinian children are being exposed. That must be a priority for all people who care about children, who care about the kind of peace, stability, safety and security that Israel deserves to be guaranteed. And it should be a priority for everyone who cares about the future of the Palestinian people.” [Palestinian Media Watch, 2/8/07]
Hillary introduced legislation calling for the immediate release of Israeli soldiers held by Hamas and Hezbollah. [S. Res. 92, 3/1/07, Thomas.gov]
Hillary co-sponsored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act in 2006 to block foreign assistance to Hamas. [S. 2370, 3/6/06, Thomas.gov]
Hillary co-sponsored the Syrian Accountability Act to pressure Syria to halt support for terrorism in the Middle East. [S. 982, 5/1/03, Thomas.gov]
Tough on Iran
During 2008 campaign, Hillary said that as president she would not meet with Ahmadinejad. “And I think that this is an opportunity, with skillful diplomacy, for the United States to go to the region and enlist the region in a security agreement vis-a-vis Iran. It would give us three tools we don’t now have. Number one, we’ve got to begin diplomatic engagement with Iran, and we want the region and the world to understand how serious we are about it. And I would begin those discussions at a low level. I certainly would not meet with Ahmadinejad, because even again today he made light of 9/11 and said he’s not even sure it happened and that people actually died. He’s not someone who would have an opportunity to meet with me in the White House. But I would have a diplomatic process that would engage him.” [Democratic Presidential Debate, 4/16/08 C-SPAN]
Hillary said “no option can be taken off the table” to halt Iran’s push for nuclear weapons. “Calling Iran a danger to the U.S. and one of Israel’s greatest threats, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that ‘no option can be taken off the table’ when dealing with that nation. ‘U.S. policy must be clear and unequivocal: We cannot, we should not, we must not permit Iran to build or acquire nuclear weapons,’ Clinton told a crowd of Israel supporters. ‘In dealing with this threat … no option can be taken off the table.’” [FOX News, 2/2/07]
Hillary: “I would make it clear to the Iranians that an attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation.” Hillary Clinton: “I think that we should be looking to create an umbrella of deterrence that goes much further than just Israel. Of course I would make it clear to the Iranians that an attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation from the United States, but I would do the same with other countries in the region.” [Democratic Presidential Debate, 4/16/08, C-SPAN]
Hillary has consistently supported using every available U.S. tool to combat Iran’s ambition for nuclear weapons. “Clinton, the front-runner for her party’s presidential nomination, called for dialogue with foes of the United States, saying Iran ‘uses its influence and its revenues in the region to support terrorist elements.’ ‘We need to use every tool at our disposal, including diplomatic and economic in addition to the threat and use of military force,’ she said.” [FOX News, 2/2/07]
Hillary has sharply criticized Iranian leaders’ anti-Semitism. “Clinton, D-N.Y., spoke at a Manhattan dinner held by the nation’s largest pro-Israel lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Some 1,700 supporters applauded as she cited her efforts on behalf of the Jewish state and spoke scathingly of Iran’s decision to hold a conference last month that questioned whether the Holocaust took place. ‘To deny the Holocaust places Iran’s leadership in company with the most despicable bigots and historical revisionists,’ Clinton said, criticizing what she called the Iranian administration’s ‘pro-terrorist, anti-American, anti-Israeli rhetoric.’” [FOX News, 2/2/07]
A Lifetime of Service
Hillary introduced Israeli education program HIPPY to Arkansas where its US headquarters remain today. As U.S. News & World Report noted, Hillary Clinton “helped establish the first HIPPY program in Arkansas three years before HIPPY USA was formally organized,” which expanded early childhood education to economically disadvantaged families. As ABC News reported, “[HIPPY] was originally started by Dr. Avima Lombard in 1969, an Israeli doctor who wanted to help immigrants and their children adjust to live in new countries. But Clinton read Lombard’s story, and saw the potential for the program in Arkansas. ‘I finally tracked her [Lombard] down at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and got her on the phone,’ Clinton said. ‘You can imagine her surprise when I told her I was calling from Little Rock.’ What started as an awkward phone conversation where Clinton had to explain that Arkansas was one of the states ‘on top of Texas’ resulted in a partnership that cultivated the HIPPY program’s largest statewide network. Now the program operates in 21 states serving 15,000 families, and Clinton is still giving it a hefty endorsement as a way to improve academic readiness and performance.” [US News, 4/29/14; ABC News, 4/29/14; hippyusa.org]
Sec. Clinton’s first trip to Israel in 1981 inspired a deep admiration for “the talent and tenacity of the Israeli people.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “I visited Israel for the first time in December 1981 on a church trip to the Holy Land with Bill. While my parents babysat for Chelsea back in Little Rock, we spent more than ten days exploring the Galilee, Masada, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and the ancient streets of Jerusalem’s Old City. We prayed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians believe Jesus was buried and resurrected. We also paid our respects at some of the holiest sites for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, including the Western Wall, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Dome of the Rock. I loved Jerusalem. Even amid all the history and traditions, it was a city pulsing with life and energy. And I deeply admired the talent and tenacity of the Israeli people. They had made the desert bloom and built a thriving democracy in a region full of adversaries and autocrats.” [Hard Choices, pg. 302, 2014]
Sec. Clinton: “As First Lady I developed a close friendship with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and his wife, Leah.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “Over the next thirty years I would return to Israel again and again, making friends and getting to know and work with some of Israel’s great leaders. As First Lady I developed a close friendship with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and his wife, Leah, although I don’t think Yitzhak ever forgave me for banishing him to the cold air of the White House balcony when he wanted to smoke. (After Rabin accused me of endangering the peace process with this policy I finally relented and said, ‘Well, if it will further the effort toward peace, I will rescind the rule, but only as it applies to you!’)” [Hard Choices, pg. 303, 2014]