Document Text Content
AIPAC SPEECH 2013 – MINISTER OF DEFENSE - EHUD BARAK
• Thank you for such a warm welcome.
• What an indescribable feeling to be surrounded by so many true friends in the capital of the world's greatest democracy.
• Members of the Administration, Members of Congress, distinguished ambassadors, especially our ambassador Michael Oren…. Michael, Rosey, Bob, David, Howard and Richard, AIPAC members… older and young…
• Good evening to you all.
• It is your toil and your graft – your unwavering support – that keep us safe.
• I have six humble words for all of you: Thank you, thank you, thank you.
• I would like to express my personal appreciation to President Obama and Secretary Panetta for their resolute backing of Israel.
• History will surely record your immeasurable contribution to the strength of Israel, and the maintenance of the truly special relationship between our peoples.
• On behalf of the people of Israel, I wish Secretary Hagel all the best in his new role.
• As Secretary of Defense he will, no doubt, serve his country with the same pride and honor with which he served, both on the battlefield and in Congress.
• It is great to see so many young activists here. Thank you for your energetic commitment to Israel!
• A commitment which is so lucidly dictated by the head… yet so deeply underpinned by the heart…
• Keep it up – you are the future!
************************************
• It is thanks to the rock solid US-Israel relationship, alongside the devotion of the young men and women of the IDF, that our capacity to defend ourselves, has been guaranteed for years to come!
• With US support, combined with the ingenuity of our scientists; Israel finds itself at the cutting edge of missile defense technology.
• The ‘Iron Dome’ recently intercepted over 400 incoming terrorist rockets. Practically – this is like hitting a bullet… with a bullet!
• Just last week, we – the US and Israel – conducted a successful exo-atmospheric test of the Arrow 3 interceptor.
• The State of Israel simply would not be the strong island of stability it is, without one crucial constant.
• You! The United States of America. Its people. Its leadership. Its Congress. Its Jewish community.
***********************************
• It is no secret, and I'll repeat it again, that we live in a tough neighborhood, where there is no mercy for the weak. And no second chance for those who cannot defend themselves.
• Israel is the strongest country in the region and the only genuinely open democracy.
• An unprecedented geopolitical earthquake in the last three years has shattered the generations’ old regional order.
• There are two clear lessons and one insight which I have drawn from this period:
• # 1: Be modest with predictions……. especially about the future! Take Egypt as an example; Mubarak was unable to predict it… who did? Who thinks he could?
• #2: When friends tell me: Don’t worry… If worse comes to worst … the world will step forward and act!
• My answer is: Do not take this for granted.
• Look at Syria – you don't need classified intelligence; it’s on your screens. Assad’s jet fighters, tanks and artillery are slaughtering his own citizens. Over 70,000 Syrians killed.
• Yet still… there is no sense of direction and no political will to act.
• There is an extremely relevant lesson here… especially for all of us in Israel.
• And an insight…
• Many believe that the root cause for all the problems in the Middle East… is our inability to solve the conflict with the Palestinians.
• Well, I say… That’s not true!
• Recent developments in the Middle East have been far beyond our control… and independent of our deeds.
• Even if a peace agreement with the Palestinians had been signed and sealed a long time ago:
o The Muslim Brotherhood would still have come to power in Egypt
o Syria would still be mired in a bloody civil war
o And Iran would still be pursuing nuclear capabilities and a hegemonic role in the Gulf
• And ladies and gentlemen,
• It is Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities which is the greatest challenge facing Israel, the region and the world today…
• A nuclear Iran spells the end of any conceivable non-proliferation regime.
• Saudi Arabia, Turkey and later Egypt will follow suit. In the future, even terrorist groups may try.
• Diplomatic efforts continue. Sanctions are unprecedented and hurting, but frankly – while exhausting all diplomatic means is understandable – I do not believe it will lead to a “moment of truth”, where the Ayatollahs will give up their nuclear aspirations.
• Therefore, all options must remain on the table.
• We have stated this time and again.
• And we expect all those who say it… to mean it…
• Ladies and gentlemen… We mean it.
• And let me repeat it: we… mean it.
**************************************
• A nuclear Iran is the most imminent and acute danger to the stability of the entire region. But it is not the only one:
• Radical Islamist terror is spreading rapidly.
• And the accumulation of missiles and rockets will necessitate regional missile defense.
• So what is to be done?
• It is an interregnum right now in Israel, and the new Netanyahu government will have to shape its approach.
• But allow me, just before I leave my post, to share with you my positions:
• The Middle East is a Gestalt – everything depends on everything else.
• Facing this array of threats, we have to:
• Firstly, start building a ‘Regional Security Framework’…
• This should be built around the common challenges of radical Islamist terror, border security, missile defense… and of course, Iran.
• And being led by the United States, it could provide a variety of synergies for all its regional participants.
• Secondly, we need a daring peace initiative vis-à-vis the Palestinians.
• A two-state solution is the only viable long-term solution.
• It is a compelling imperative for us, in order to secure our identity and our future as a Jewish and democratic state; it’s not a favor for the Palestinians…
• Believe me, I tried hard as Prime Minister, together with President Clinton. So I know, from personal experience, that the Palestinians are not easy partners for peace.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu has taken courageous steps, to renew the process including an unprecedented settlement freeze.
• But still – from the Palestinian side… no proper response.
• They clearly bear most of the responsibility for past failures.
• And I know, a fully fledged agreement is probably not feasible today, But if this is the case – and only a sincere effort can determine this – we have to try and achieve a reasonable, fair, interim agreement.
• I strongly believe this is possible, while guaranteeing all our security and vital interests.
• But if even an interim agreement is unobtainable, then we should consider unilateral steps, in order to place a wedge on this extremely dangerous slippery slope towards a binational state.
• It involves demarcating a line within the land of Israel… Within which we will have the settlement blocs and a solid Jewish majority for generations to come.
• As well as setting security arrangements, and a solid Israeli, long-term military presence along the River Jordan.
• Rest assured… our security should not – and will not – be compromised under any of these alternatives.
• Tough decisions must be taken; but it is possible.
• And as our sages teach us: “If not now… when?”
• I strongly believe that this intertwined strategic triangle:
• First, The Regional Security Framework
• Second, a reinvigorated political process with the Palestinians…
• And third: tackling Iran.
• This triangle, is the most effective approach to deal with the challenges on our horizon.
*************************************
• Israel, has also been experiencing its own tremors of change.
• In the summer of 2011, the people of Israel took to the streets… demanding a more equal allocation of the burden.
• Just last month, 53 new, fresh members of the Knesset were sworn in, about half the serving members of Knesset … (Present company included!)… were out.
• That is what I call democracy in action.
• A democracy I am proud of.
• A democracy you can be proud of.
• I am confident that Prime Minister Netanyahu will lead his new government with the same dedication and responsibility which he led the last.
• Ladies and gentlemen,
• I was born 71 years ago, at the height of World War II; the Nazi crematoria in Europe were working day and night.
• And now… in 2013, I am ending my tenure as the Minister of Defense of a strong, independent Jewish state.
• Look at what we – as a nation – have achieved… Who would have believed it then?
o Today we have an agile and adaptive high-tech and export oriented economy.
o A start-up culture flourishes on an eruption of talent and an underlying entrepreneurial spirit.
• I am optimistic, and my vision for Israel is clear:
• A strong, self-confident, thriving Jewish, democratic state, living in peace and security with its neighbors.
• An exemplary state and world leader in science, technology, education and culture.
• A country in which our children will want to live, and your children will be proud of.
• Ladies and gentlemen,
• We are at a decisive juncture in our history…
• As President Kennedy noted during the Cuban Missile Crisis:
o "The path we have chosen for the present is full of hazards, as all paths are. But it is the one most consistent with our character and courage as a nation…"
• I believe we possess the character and courage as a nation to make those tough decisions for the future, peace and security of the State of Israel.
• Please allow me to end with the millennia old blessing:
o השם עוז לעמו ייתן, השם יברך את עמו בשלום
• May the Lord bestow his people with courage; may the Lord bless his people with peace.
• Thank you…
1