WASHINGTON – The White House upped the stakes Monday in the battle over the
rhetoric surrounding a possible military strike on Iran’s nuclear
program.
Tony Blinken, Vice President Joe Biden’s national security
adviser, declared that the “loud talk about Iran” was “incredibly
counter-productive,” echoing comments made by US President Barack Obama on the
same issue.
But he continued by saying that this talk not only drives up
the price of oil, conferring more profits to Iran – a point Obama has made – but
it also hurts the sanctions efforts and the view of the US-Israel
relationship.
“It dilutes the impact of sanctions,” he charged, appearing at the J Street annual conference. “And
it feeds false hope that it’s possible to drive a wedge between the United
States and Israel.”
In regard to dangers facing the US-Israel
relationship, he warned, “Here’s what could actually harm US-Israeli relations
and the security of the Jewish state: To subject either to the vagaries of
partisan politics or turning them into election- year talking
points.”
His words elicited loud applause, with some giving him a
standing ovation. The same point made by others in the administration, however,
has been less well-received among Republicans, who see themselves as the butt of
that argument, and have pushed back that such a perspective limits open
debate.
“This is not about stifling discussion or disagreement or
dissent,” Blinken countered Monday. “It’s about a very simple
proposition: When it comes to discussing US policy toward Israel... by all
means, let’s question each other’s judgments. But let’s not question each
other’s motives.”
Blinken said that he welcomed a debate on the topic,
and that there would occasionally be differences between how Israel and America
view issues.
“It does’t mean we’re always going to see eye to eye with
Israel. Even the closest of allies disagree – and I know this will come as a
surprise to you – just as Israelis disagree amongst themselves,” Blinken told J
Street. “When we disagree, we make our views clear. It’s a sign of mutual
respect. It’s a sign of a relationship robust enough and mature enough to
overcome whatever tactical differences we may have.”
He also said that he
welcomed a debate with the progressive lobby itself on how to resolve the
impasse between Israelis and Palestinians.
“It is a daunting challenge,”
he said. “There is no shortcut to peace. These issues can only be resolved
through negotiations.”
A few members of the audience booed at that
comment, to which Blinken remarked to laughter, “Some of you may disagree, but
that’s our position.”
He described the current point as a “period of
assessment,” but stressed that, “Just because we don’t say something or you
don’t see something doesn’t mean we’re not doing anything.”
He said the
US remained “deeply engaged” on the issue and works “day in and day out” toward
achieving peace.
Blinken praised J Street as an important organization
reinforcing that effort.
“J Street has emerged as an influential and
constructive voice not just here in Washington but far beyond,” he said. “That
voice, your voice, strengthens American foreign policy.”
Blinken spoke
following White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, the other representative
of the Obama administration to address the J Street annual
convention.
She acknowledged that there can often be “fierce
disagreements over what path to take,” but that remaining committed to progress
was key.
“We know that many of you are sometimes frustrated with the
state of the peace process. We have a lot of work ahead,” she
acknowledged.
But Jarrett reaffirmed the American commitment to the peace
process, an issue also raised by President Shimon Peres, who delivered a video
message before she and Blinken spoke.
“Peace is in the long term interest
of Israel. It is in the long term interest of the Palestinian people. And it is
in the interest of the region. And it is in the interest of the United States
and it’s in the interest of the world,” Jarrett said to enthusiastic applause.