“Israel is one of our strongest allies. … It is a vibrant democracy. It shares links with us in all sorts of ways. It is critical for us and I will never waver from ensuring Israel’s security and helping them secure themselves in what is a very hostile region.”
—President Barack Obama, Town Hall Meeting in Tampa, Florida, January 28, 2010
“Israel’s unique relationship with the United States means that you need not bear that heavy burden alone. Our nations’ unbreakable bond borne of common values, interwoven cultures, and mutual interests has spanned the entirety of Israel’s history. And it’s—it’s impervious to any shifts in either country and either country’s partisan politics. No matter what challenges we face, this bond will endure.”
—Vice President Joe Biden, remarks, “The Enduring Partnership Between the United States and Israel,” Tel Aviv University, March 11, 2010
“It is important that the United States always underscore our unshakable, durable, fundamental relationship and support for the State of Israel. … I want to emphasize the continuing strengths of the United States-Israeli relationship and our unrelenting commitment to Israel’s security. … The democratic process has its ups and downs, but the United States and Israel share a common bond that strengthens our relationship as fellow democracies to address the challenges that we each face. Our relationship is more than just one of shared interests. It is of shared values.”
—Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, remarks with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Jerusalem, March 3, 2009
“The President and the Secretary of State have been clear about our commitment both to Israel’s security and to the two-state solution based on the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state with contiguous territory. This commitment is unwavering and in the national security interests of the United States.”
—Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell, interview, Middle East Bulletin, “Progress Requires Patience, Compromise and Courageous Leadership,” December 1, 2009
“As President Obama said in Cairo last month, our bond is unbreakable. We also discussed the regional security challenges we both face from terrorism to the threat posed by Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. As part of our steadfast support for Israel, the United States continues to provide a robust, annual military assistance package. We are contributing both financial and technical assistance to strengthen Israel’s defense against the growing threat posed by rockets and missiles. And we will continue to ensure that Israel has the most advanced weapons for its national defense. One example is our ongoing discussion of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Of course, achieving long-term security for Israel is ultimately dependent on a sustainable, comprehensive Middle East peace. The goal is vitally important for regional stability. To help move the process forward, we will continue to address further Israeli security requirements to make a two state solution possible.”
—Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, press conference with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, July 27, 2009
