Boehner Speech to AIPAC Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Jewish State of Israel

Statement

Boehner Speech to AIPAC Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Jewish State of Israel

Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Jewish state of Israel in remarks today at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) 2008 Policy Conference. Boehner's remarks as prepared follow:

"I'm very glad to be here today. I understand this is the largest policy conference in AIPAC's long history. I have worked with you all since I was elected in 1990, and I am especially pleased to be here with you today.

"Last month, we were pleased to celebrate with an important friend and ally its 60th anniversary. America has no closer ally than the State of Israel. We are not allies simply by chance. Our friendship is based on a passionate belief in shared values.

"There is a bipartisan Congressional commitment to this friendship. Speaker Pelosi and I worked together on a bipartisan leadership CODEL to participate in the anniversary celebrations last month. I deeply regret that I was not able to personally attend, but health issues made travel impossible for me. Since I was not able to travel in May, it made my own trip to Israel in March even more meaningful for me. The trip crystallized the direct, real, and substantial threats faced by ordinary Israelis every single day.

"Since its creation, Israel has lived under constant threat of aggression and has stood bravely against the rise of radical Islam. No nation understands the threat of terror and the vigilance necessary to confront it better than Israel. Let me be clear: the danger remains and must be confronted with courage, conviction, and decisiveness.

"Two days ago, the president of Iran promised that Israel would ‘disappear.' The message cannot be more obvious: Iran is a threat to Israel and the United States. Iran is the world's chief sponsor of terrorism. It is directly linked to organizations targeting American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Iran trains, finances, and equips groups like Hamas and Hezbollah…groups that support violence and destruction. But, by far, the greatest danger is Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran has not come clean about its nuclear program. Iran's refusal to abide by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act could encourage a Middle East nuclear arms race. Iran's possession of nuclear weapons is an unacceptable danger to the United States and Israel.

"The United States must not reward destructive behavior through endless and unconditional ‘dialogue.' Our message should be clear and unmistakable: We will not legitimize a leader who has repeatedly threatened the very existence of Israel and the United States.

"My friends, the threat of terrorism is real and the enemies America and Israel face are the same. The terrorists' aim is to create domestic political pressure in America, in hopes it will prompt America to leave the Middle East. This has been their goal for decades. Remember:

· Tehran in 1979;

· Beirut in 1983;

· Somalia in 1993;

· Khobar Towers in 1996;

· East African Embassy bombings in 1998; and

· USS Cole bombing in 2000.

"But in Iraq, the United States military is making a real, measurable difference. The success of General Petraeus' surge of troops in the last year is undeniable. Many in Congress said last year it would never work, that the war in Iraq was lost. They were wrong…very wrong.

"There have been steep declines in overall violence. American casualties are down significantly. Al Qaeda is encircled and on the run. More Iraqis are joining the Iraqi Security Forces, and those forces are growing stronger every day. The Iraqi government has passed laws promoting sectarian reconciliation. And the prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, in cooperation with minority Sunnis, has launched successful operations against Shiite and Iranian-backed gangs in the port of Basra.

"Sadly, you will not hear a lot from other Members of Congress this morning about the good news coming from Iraq. It would be a mistake of historic proportions to retreat from Iraq and - despite the clear progress - to create a power vacuum for Iran. Failure in Iraq leads to instability throughout the region.

"It's simple: if we lose in Iraq, we will lose the region and make it more dangerous for Israel. If we do not stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, we lose Israel. If we do not take seriously the words and intentions of Islamic militants, we lose Israel.

"The threats facing the United States and Israel must and will be met with an equal determination to preserve our God-given liberties. The bonds of trust between Israel and America have never been stronger or more important than they are right now.

"May God bless the Jewish state of Israel on its sixtieth anniversary. Thank you."

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