Photo courtesy AIPAC
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Sunday vowed in a letter to two Jewish organizations to defeat any attempt to delegitimize Israel.
The letter, paid for by her presidential campaign, was in response to concerns voiced by the Israel Action Network, a part of Jewish Federations of North America, over the United Methodist Church’s planned debate over the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement at its general conference.
Clinton is a Methodist.
“It would be a serious mistake for the United States to abandon our responsibilities, or cede the mantle of leadership for global peace and security to anyone else,” her letter states. “The Jewish state is a modern-day miracle — a vibrant bloom in the middle of a desert — and we must nurture and protect it.”
Clinton touted her accomplishments in defending Israel as secretary of state and as a New York senator, including her condemnation of the Goldstone Report following the 2009 Israel-Hamas war and blocking Palestinian attempts at a unilateral solution to the conflict with Israel through the United Nations.
“Time after time, no matter the venue, I have made it clear that America will always stand up for Israel,” her letter states. “If I am fortunate enough to be elected president, the United States will reaffirm we have a strong and enduring national interest in Israel’s security.”
Clinton’s letter was sent to Susan Stern of Jewish Federations of North America and David Sherman of the Israel Action Network.
“Like you, we share a desire for a peaceful, just, secure and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians,” they had written to Clinton. “Building and sustaining such a peace will require deeper ties between Israelis and Palestinians, including cross-cultural exchange, normalization of relations, shared sacrifice and increased economic ties.”
