In a shameful display of political maneuvering today, the right wing is attacking Hillary Clinton for her support of Israel. Her support has been steadfast and unwavering. Nonetheless, the right is on the attack, even airing a paid television advertisement Monday evening.
Hillary Clinton’s record 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 was resolute. 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
At The State Department
- As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton helped avert an all-out war in Gaza by negotiating a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians. Clinton worked with Israeli leaders and Egypt’s president to end a week of fighting between Hamas and Israel.
- Clinton confirmed America’s commitment to Israel’s security, calling it a “cornerstone of our foreign policy in the Middle East” and reaffirming that “the United States and Israel are united by a deep and unbreakable bond based on mutual interests and respect.”
- Hillary Clinton said the relationship between the U.S. and Israel is “deepening every day,” through security partnerships and expanding economic and trade collaborations to secure a bright future for all Americans and Israelis.
- In a speech to the Human Rights Council, Clinton condemned the organization’s “structural bias against Israel.”
- When Hillary Clinton led the State Department, the U.S. and Israel spoke almost daily to coordinate security issues.
On The Subject Of Iran
- Clinton built and maintained a coalition to enact the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history, bringing Russia and China on board and helping reduce global nuclear proliferation. Working with Netanyahu to achieve a shared goal of halting development of a nuclear Iran, Clinton pledged to use all elements of American power necessary. Clinton’s brokering of these deals was praised by the American Jewish Committee of Long Island’s director.
- Hillary has consistently supported using every available U.S. tool to combat Iran’s nuclear goals, warning in 2007 that “no option can be taken off the table” and that an attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation from the United States.
- Hillary criticized Iran’s “pro-terrorist, anti-American, anti-Israeli rhetoric.”
After Leaving The State Department
- Hillary has been welcomed to a number of fundraisers for Jewish groups since leaving the State Department including the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago.
- Hillary Clinton was one of only a few speakers at the memorial for Samuel Bronfman, a longtime supporter of hers and a leader in the Jewish and philanthropic communities.
- Hillary was honored by the head of the American Jewish Congress with the “Stephen S. Wise Award for Lifetime Achievement,” at an event in New York, where she spoke about issues important to the Jewish community. Past award recipients include David Ben Gurion, Golda Meir, Harry Truman, and Robert F. Kennedy.