Friday, November 11, 2016

Romeo & Juliet, Tristan & Isolde, Hillary & Israel

A says-it-all document from hillaryclinton.com/briefing/factchecks:

Hillary Clinton & Israel: A 30-Year Record of Friendship, Leadership & Strength

From the State Department and both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, Clinton has made support for Israel one of her top priorities.

*As Secretary, Clinton's State Department reaffirmed the US commitment to preserving Israel's Qualitative Military Edge (QME) and requested increased assistance for Israel every year, from $2.55 billion when she took office to $3.1 billion in FY2013, a nearly 20% increase. She worked to build stronger defence programs for Israel, including upgraded Patriot missiles and the Iron Dome system, which blocked rockets from Hamas and Hezbollah and saved Israeli lives, as well as helping equip Israel with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. During her tenure, Prime Minister Netanyahu credited our 'unprecedented' security cooperation with Israel. She led international efforts to pass UN Security Council Resolution 1929, imposing the harshest sanctions on Iran in history. In 2012 she led negotiations to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and end rocket attacks from Hamas. She tirelessly fought efforts to delegitimize Israel: calling out the UN Human Rights Council for its 'structural bias' against Israel, criticizing the Goldstone report as 'one-sided,' and making sure that the United States blocked UN Security Council resolutions for Palestinian statehood.

*As a Senator from New York, Clinton championed legislation to get tough on Iran; helped lead the effort to crack down on Palestinian incitement in textbooks and schools; and fought successively to have Israel's Magen David Adom accepted by the International Red Cross. She introduced and co-sponsored numerous bills to support Israel; isolate and weaken terrorist groups and their state sponsors; and elevate the fight against anti-Semitism in the Middle East, Europe, and around the world.

*As First Lady, Clinton supported Israel's search for peace and the fight against terrorism, saying 'I understand the need never to compromise the security of Israel.' She traveled repeatedly to Israel and forged a lasting bond and friendships with Israeli leaders and people.

Clinton's Vision: Deepen Our Unshakable Commitment to Israel's Security

Clinton believes that Israel's security is a national priority for the United States. Israel must be able to defend itself by itself. As President, she will:

*Increase support for rocket and missile defense, including Iron Dome and David's Sling, and push to expand missile defense to northern Israel, so that Israel can defend itself against rocket attacks and medium-range missiles, and push for better tunnel detection technology to better protect Israel from infiltration by terrorists and weapons;

*Guarantee Israel's Qualitative Military Edge to ensure the IDF is equipped to deter and defeat aggression from the full spectrum of threats;

*Renew the US-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, providing a 10-year US commitment to provide Israel with the security assistance it needs to maintain the most capable military in the Middle East;

*Expand shared security and intelligence operations and US-Israel military exercises;

*Partner with Israel to advance the two-state vision of a Jewish and democratic Israel with secure and recognized borders.

Redouble US Leadership to Confront Regional Threats 

The threats emanating from the Middle East, including the dangers posed by Iran and its terrorist proxies, demand strong, smart and determined US leadership. As President, Clinton will:

*Vigorously enforce the nuclear agreement with Iran and not hesitate to take military action to protect the United States and our allies if Iran attempts to attain a nuclear weapon;

*Redouble the international pressure on Iran to end its support for terrorist proxies that threaten Israel and destabilize the region, from Lebanon to Gaza to Syria;

*Strengthen our alliances and partnerships to combat terrorism and improve the long-term trend lines in the region, from North Africa across the Middle East.

Defend Israel on the World Stage 

Israel is a vibrant democracy in a region dominated by autocracy. International organizations should work with Israel to advance our shared values, not attack it. As President, Clinton will:

*Veto any effort at the UN to short-circuit negotiations between the parties;

*Fight any effort to undermine Israel's security or impinge on its right to self-defence;

*Oppose anti-Israel bias in UN bodies and other international forums;

*Stand up against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement;

*Cut off efforts to unilaterally recognize Palestinian statehood outside the context of negotiations with Israel.

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