Clinton Hangs Tough At AIPAC
This morning, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a major foreign policy address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and made clear that the United States is intent upon its new course in the Middle East: even-handedness.
Those expecting Secretary Clinton to back away from the administration's tough line on settlements and the peace process in general were surely disappointed. (After the President's tremendous health care reform victory, of course, any sort of back down became instantly unlikely. The President is very strong now and playing the "honest broker" role in the Middle East has been a top priority since his first day in office.)
It is clear that the administration believes in its current course and knows that it has public support, including in Israel. As Secretary Clinton reaffirmed:
New construction in East Jerusalem or the West Bank undermines mutual trust and endangers the proximity talks that are the first step toward the full negotiations that both sides want and need. It exposes daylight between Israel and the United States that others in the region hope to exploit. And it undermines America's unique ability to play a role - an essential role -- in the peace process. Our credibility in this process depends in part on our willingness to praise both sides when they are courageous, and when we don't agree, to say so, and say so unequivocally.
We objected to this announcement because we are committed to Israel and its security, which depends on a comprehensive peace. Because we are determined to keep moving forward along a path that ensures Israel's future as a secure and democratic Jewish state living in peace with its Palestinian and Arab neighbors, who can realize their own legitimate aspirations. And because we do not want to see that progress jeopardized.
This spring is shaping up as a good season for the President, both at home and abroad. The promise of his Presidency is being vindicated -- and even the promise of his Nobel Peace prize.
