President Barack Obama tried to make the case Sunday that his policy on Iran is working and that he is a staunch supporter of Israel, both practically and viscerally.
Obama spoke at the opening plenary of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual policy conference just a day before he is set to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue. While noting in his speech that there is “too much loose talk of war,” the president sought to make clear that he would use force against the Iranian nuclear program if he believed it was the only option left to prevent Iranian nuclear proliferation.
“I have said that when it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, I will take no options off the table, and I mean what I say,” he told the crowd. “That includes all elements of American power.”
“Iran’s leaders should know that I do not have a policy of containment; I have a policy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” he added. “And as I’ve made clear time and again during the course of my presidency, I will not hesitate to use force when it is necessary to defend the United States and its interests.”
Over the last several months, rumors have widely circulated that Israeli leaders may be considering a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2012. Many in Israel view a nuclear-capable Iran as an existential threat, especially given the Iranian leadership’s threats to “wipe Israel off the map.” President Obama and his administration have made clear that they do not believe a strike against Iran is prudent — at least not at this time.
“I firmly believe that an opportunity remains for diplomacy – backed by pressure – to succeed,” President Obama told AIPAC Sunday.
Looking toward November, President Obama also attempted to paint the picture that, despite noise to the contrary, he is a strong supporter of Israel.
“[Y]ou can examine my commitment, you don’t just have to count on my words,” he told the crowd. “You can look at my deeds. Because over the last three years, as President of the United States, I have kept my commitments to the state of Israel. At every crucial juncture – at every fork in the road – we have been there for Israel. Every single time.”
The president cited his administration’s military aid to Israel and its efforts to fight deligitimization of the Jewish state as examples of his pro-Israel credentials.
“The fact is, my administration’s commitment to Israel’s security has been unprecedented,” he said. “Our military and intelligence cooperation has never been closer. Our joint exercises and training have never been more robust. Despite a tough budget environment, our security assistance has increased every year.”
“So there should not be a shred of doubt by now: when the chips are down, I have Israel’s back,” he added.
But more than just make the case that is actions have been pro-Israel, Obama sought to also paint himself as pro-Israel on a more personal, visceral level.
“This isn’t just about numbers on a balance sheet,” he said. “As a senator, I spoke to Israeli troops on the Lebanese border. I have visited with families who’ve known the terror of rocket fire in Sderot.”
“In the past, I have shared in this forum just why those bonds are so personal for me,” he added at another point in the speech, “from the stories of a great uncle who helped liberate Buchenwald, to my memories of returning there with Elie Wiesel; from sharing books with Shimon Peres, to sharing seders with my young staff in a tradition that started on the campaign trail and continues in the White House; from the countless friends I know in this room, to the concept of tikkun olam that has enriched my life.”
“So if you want to know where my heart lies, look no further than what I have done to stand up for Israel,” he said concluding his speech, “to secure both of our countries; and to see that the rough waters of our time lead to a peaceful and prosperous shore.”
The attempt to demonstrate a personal connection with the Jewish state was clearly aimed to counter the stream of attacks the president has faced for being something less than a friend of America’s top ally in the Middle East. Critics of President Obama’s record on Israel point to, among many things, his seemingly contentious relationship with Netanyahu and the president’s call for Israel to return to its pre-1967 borders (with land swaps) without an accompanying call that the Palestinians make any similar concessions, such as on the Right of Return, before negotiations.
“So if during this political season you hear some question my administration’s support for Israel, remember that it’s not backed up by the facts,” President Obama implored the AIPAC audience at one point. “And remember that the U.S.-Israel relationship is simply too important to be distorted by partisan politics.”
Josh Block, former AIPAC spokesman and current senior fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute, told The Daily Caller that he welcomed the president’s comments on Iran.
“The president said some welcome things today on Iran,” Block said, “including making clear that he has a policy of prevention, not containment, explicitly pointing to a military option, delivering an extended explanation of why it is America’s interest to stop Iran, and in particular making explicitly clear that Israel has a sovereign right to defend themselves as they see fit.”
But Noah Pollak, the executive director of the Emergency Committee for Israel, wasn’t quite as impressed.
“Having spent the past three years undermining trust between the U.S. and Israeli governments, Obama’s message to Israel on the threat from Iran is: Trust me,” he told TheDC.
Pollak’s group recently released a 30-minute documentary, “Daylight: The Story of Obama and Israel,” attacking the president’s record on Israel.
