1,177th day of The Tens

Anti Defamation League Applauds President Obama’s Jerusalem Speech as a “Truly Historic Affirmation of the Bond between the United States and Israel”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) applauds President Obama’s address to Israeli youth in Jerusalem, calling his speech a “truly historic affirmation of the bonds of friendship between the United States and Israel, a heartfelt acknowledgement of the depth and strength of the biblical Jewish bond to the land of Israel and a clear articulation of mutual values and aspirations for peace shared by both countries.”
The President conveys a deep understanding of important challenges facing Israel, including the peace process and security issues, and highlights the remarkable accomplishments the Jewish state has achieved over the past 65 years.
Barry Curtiss-Lusher, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

We applaud President Obama’s powerful address and the warmth, respect and admiration it expresses for all that Israel represents for the Jewish people and the world. The speech comes across as a truly historic affirmation of the bonds of friendship between the U.S. and Israel, and a pronouncement of common values and aspirations for peace shared by both countries.

President Obama clearly articulates the millennia-old connection the Jewish people have to the land of Israel, culminating in the realization of the Zionist dream by which Jews now live and reside as a free people in their homeland. And, he highlights and praises the many significant accomplishments the country had come to achieve over the past 65 years.

President Obama also recognizes the grave security challenges facing Israel, including terror threats from Hamas, and the dangers posed by a nuclear-armed Iran. His call on the European Union to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization comes as an important move, indeed, one that European leaders should take seriously.

The President also recognizes the risks Israel takes for peace, steps often not met with reciprocity from the Palestinians. We attach the importance to Obama's reiteration of the consistent position that the peace process continually achieves through negotiations without preconditions, and not through international unilateral actions at forums like the United Nations.

The President’s visit to Israel carried feelings of warmth, meaningfulness, positivity and significance. The people of Israel cherish the U.S.-Israel relationship, and should feel encouraged by the President’s empathy, understanding and personal commitment to Israel’s security and prosperity.