Clinton: Israel and US have unbreakable friendship that transcends politics

"For me, fighting for Israel isn’t just about policy — it’s a personal commitment to the friendship between our peoples and our vision for peace and security."

By DANIEL J. ROTH
Updated: NOVEMBER 5, 2015 23:44
Hillary Clinton at a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa (photo credit: Courtesy)
Hillary Clinton at a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday that the "unbreakable" alliance between Israel and the United States transcends politics and vowed to "strengthen America’s security commitment" to the Jewish state if elected president.
In an opinion piece written for the Jewish daily publication The Forward, Clinton touched on a number a topics ranging from the anniversary of the Yitzhak Rabin assassination, to her first visit to Jerusalem, to the current wave of terror attacks plaguing Israel and the West Bank.
Marking the 20th anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin's death, Clinton opened her article by calling the late prime minister "a good friend, a courageous warrior and a great statesman." Clinton added that current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should take the opportunity to "reaffirm...the unity between the people and governments of the United States and Israel" during his upcoming trip to the White House on November 9 in light of the somber occasion.
The former first lady then moved on to a more nostalgic moment, recounting her first voyage to the Jewish state.
"My first visit to Israel, in December 1981, sparked an enduring emotional connection for me — to the land and its people — and admiration for how Israelis have built a thriving democracy in a region full of adversaries and autocrats," Clinton said.
"On that first trip, Bill and I fell in love with Jerusalem as we walked the ancient streets of the Old City," she added.
Addressing the current wave of terror that has engulfed Israel over the last few weeks, Clinton said that the "violence must not be allowed to continue," adding, "We now hear of daily stabbings and shootings of innocent civilians — teenagers, parents and senior citizens. Israelis have to look over their shoulders during everyday tasks, like carrying groceries and waiting for the bus."
"All parties and the international community should condemn any political and religious leader who stokes tensions with irresponsible rhetoric," Clinton said. "Many of us have seen the video of a cleric encouraging worshippers to stab Jews as he waves a knife in the air. This incitement needs to end, period," she added.
Clinton also emphasized the importance of maintaining Israel's "qualitative military edge" in the region, adding that as president she would "dispatch a delegation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to meet with senior Israeli commanders" in order to better coordinate military intelligence.
Clinton ended the piece in The Forward by stating: "For me, fighting for Israel isn’t just about policy — it’s a personal commitment to the friendship between our peoples and our vision for peace and security."


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