Last day of AIPAC conference sees Obama, Clinton

AIPAC, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, held the last day of its annual conference today in Washington D.C. With a week of speakers that has seen Republican candidate for President Senator John McCain and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, today was capped off with Republican Leader of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio), Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Majority Leader of the Senate Harry Reid (D-Nev.) – and those were just the warm up speakers. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and presumptive democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) closed out the day with extended speeches.

Obama started with “we are among friends,” and continued with “as president, I will never compromise when it comes to Israel’s security.” Obama also spoke on the issue of identity. He relayed his story of trying to find what to identify with as a child to the struggle of Israel, who over sixty years ago were struggling to find themselves and a place in the world, as Obama was when he was a child. He said he and Israel have found themselves and now partake in a working, strong relationship.

Obama also said Iran poses the greatest military threat to Israel. His goal is to eliminate this threat. He also said that Iraq is unstable, and this is jeopardizing the security of Israel. He said he will stand up for the right for Israel to defend itself in the United Nations and in the world, and that security for Israel is “non-negotiable.”

The other speakers responded with similar speeches in their support for Israel and the necessity of the continued U.S.-Israel relationship, along with the threat Iran poses to Israel and the United States as it pursues nuclear weapons. Clinton said Obama will be a “good friend to Israel,” and that the country needs a fresh start from the “wrong direction” President Bush moved the country in.