On the recordApril 21, 2010
It is with great honor that I rise today to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of a great democracy and our close friend and important ally, Israel. The United States and Israel share a unique and unbreakable bond. This bond is based upon friendship, common values, and a strong interest in a peaceful future for the Middle East. From its first breaths in 1948 until today, Israel has stood as the foremost beacon of democracy in the Middle East. As the sole democracy in the region, Israel is the United States' most strategic ally in the Middle East, and I have supported policies that strengthen its safety, security and welfare. Israel must be able to rely on the friendship of the United States as it takes the bold steps necessary towards peace in the Middle East. Some of this reliance comes in the form of U.S. foreign assistance. Providing foreign assistance to Israel is important as Israel faces legitimate, external threats to its survival--Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. We must also provide Israel diplomatic support in the form of sanctions against the Iranian government, before it is too late. Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon is a real and immediate threat to the existence of Israel, and a serious and troubling threat to the security of the entire Middle East and the U.S. A nuclear Iran is simply unacceptable, and we must do what we can to deter this threat.
