APN Commends Obama for Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace Speech

American/Jewish peace group applauds position of U.S. President.

Photo: ibtimes.com

(WASHINGTON DC) - Americans for Peace Now (APN) commends President Obama for an AIPAC speech that was staunchly pro-Israel, unabashedly pro-peace, and responsible yet sober on Iran.

APN President and CEO Debra DeLee said: “The President’s speech today, before a crowd of thousands at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, was a valuable reminder from the leader of Israel’s greatest ally that supporting Israel means supporting peace and sparing no effort to avoid war. President Obama boldly stated: ‘I make no apologies for pursuing peace,’ and that ‘peace is profoundly in Israel’s security interest,’ and made clear that without peace, Israel might not be able to maintain its character as a democracy and a Jewish state. We fully agree with the President that as difficult as peace may be to achieve, ‘we should not and cannot give in to cynicism and despair.’

“On Iran, the President emphasized the need to pursue diplomacy and sanctions, criticized the current ‘loose talk of war,’ and did not redraw America’s red lines regarding Iran’s nuclear quest. The President did not adopt the formulation that relaxes America’s focus on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“Last week, APN sent a letter to the President asking him not to ‘walk back’ key U.S. positions on Israeli-Palestinian peace, and on Iran. We are gratified that even when addressing a largely hardline crowd, the President did not compromise America’s responsible Middle East policies.”