FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 01, 2003

CONTACT: Brendan Daly (202)225-0100

Pelosi Address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee

Washington, D.C. -- This morning, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke before 2,000 people attending the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's 2003 Policy Conference. Below is a transcript of her remarks:

"Good morning. My, how this group has grown. Congratulations.

"Cissie Swig, thank you so much, first for that warm introduction, but more importantly for your friendship and your mentoring of me over the years and for your leadership on so many issues. I cherish our friendship.

"President Amy Friedkin, a dear friend for so many years. It has been wonderful to see Amy rise within your great organization, from the East Bay Federation and the Northern California chapter of AIPAC, all the way to become the national President.

"I am thrilled that Amy is the first woman to be President of AIPAC. And with president-elect Bernice Manocherian, perhaps it is the beginning of a wonderful trend. I commend AIPAC for breaking down another barrier and leading America closer to the ideal of equality that is both our heritage and our hope.

"Cissie and Amy will appreciate this story. My daughter is Catholic. My son-law is Jewish. Last week, I celebrated my birthday, and my grandchildren - ages four and six - called me to sing Happy Birthday. And the surprise, the real gift, was that they sang it in Hebrew.

"I’m so pleased to be joined by three of my colleagues-Congressman Howard Berman of California, Congressman Sander Levin of Michigan, and Congressman Bob Matsui of California. All are strong supporters of Israel.

"Thank you to all the members of AIPAC, especially those who have traveled so far from California and the Bay Area. The special relationship between the United States and Israel is as strong as it is because of your fidelity to that partnership and the commitment of every person in this room today.

"I am honored to be here to speak about something that can never be said enough: America’s commitment to the safety and security of the State of Israel is unwavering.

"Today, the thoughts and prayers of all Americans are with our courageous forces in Iraq. Americans may have had our differences going into this war, but we are united in support of our men and women in uniform.

"Let me also say this: I absolutely condemn the statements or suggestions of those who seek to place responsibility for this conflict on the American-Jewish community. The Jewish community in America, like America itself, has been divided on whether to fight this war at this time. Any accusations to the contrary have no place in our discourse - public or private.

"Today, Americans are seeing for themselves what I saw on my trip to the Persian Gulf in March and my previous visits with our troops at bases here at home. Our men and women in uniform are focused on their mission, enduring tremendous hardships, motivated by a profound love of country and prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.

"We pray for the swift and successful disarmament of Iraq with the least possible loss of life.

"We pray that the end of this conflict will bring new hope for the people of Iraq. That starts by promoting a multilateral response to the potential refugee crisis along with a democratic government of, by and for the people of Iraq. We pray for the families who have lost a loved one. And we pray for the safe return of the missing, our prisoners of war, and all of our forces into the loving arms of their families.

"Their noble service reminds us of our mission - to build a future worthy of their sacrifice.

"That future begins with our commitment to the fundamental principles to which all people in all nations are entitled - freedom, security, peace and prosperity.

"And in the Middle East, those principles rest upon a foundation that is as enduring as it is essential - the unbreakable bond of friendship between the United States of America and the State of Israel.

"The United States stands with Israel because of our common history - two beacons founded on the ideals of liberty and justice, forged by pioneers, and fulfilled by immigrants in search of a better tomorrow.

"The United States stands with Israel because of our common interests - our fundamental interest in the most basic of all rights: the right to exist, the right to live free from fear, the right to put our children on the school bus in the morning knowing they will come home safely in the afternoon.

"Let there be no doubt - the United States of America stands with the State of Israel also because it is in our national interests to stand with the State of Israel.

"I will never forget my first visit to Israel. From the moment one lands at Ben Gurion Airport, one appreciates what every Israeli knows - security is measured in miles and minutes.

"From the Golan Heights, we could see Damascus just 40 miles away. Today, Syria's and Iran’s bankrolling of terror and the development of weapons of mass destruction is a clear and present danger. Today, Israelis in the north live under the constant threat of Hezbollah’s rockets just across the border in Lebanon.

"Ben-Gurion’s famous words remain true today: Israel is 'a small nation that has suffered much, but at the same time has won for itself a special place in the history of mankind because of its spirit, faith and vision.' And yet, 'we have a long thorny path ahead of us,' he said.

"More than a half-century later, our challenge is the same: how can America and Israel together walk the long thorny path and preserve Israel as a special place in the history of mankind?

"First and foremost, we must be unequivocal in our words and uncompromising in our deeds.

"There is no place in the civilized world for terrorism. Not now. Not ever.

"Our prayers go out to the people of Israel following this weekend’s attack in Netanya.

"No injustice, real or imagined, can ever justify, and no future can ever be built upon, the calculated slaughter of innocents.

"Let there be no doubt: whether it is called Al Qaeda, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, Hamas, or the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the murder of innocents is madness. It must stop. And it must stop immediately.

"The world must never accept in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Haifa what the world would not tolerate in London, Washington, New York or San Francisco.

"Last spring, an overwhelming majority of Congress expressed our solidarity with Israel in its fight against terrorism and in reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense.

"Second, we must ensure that Israel always has the tools and resources it needs to confront its security and economic challenges.

"President Truman knew this 55 years ago when Israel was born, recognizing her just eleven minutes after independence. President Johnson knew this when Israel fought for her survival, supplying her with the tools to help win the Six Day War. And President Clinton knew this when Israel was ready to embrace peace - indeed, a peace of the brave - at Camp David two years ago, promising to stand by her as she took historic steps for peace.

"Having served on the Intelligence Committee for ten years-including two years as the Ranking Democrat-I have an understanding of the threats facing the Israeli people. Having served as the senior Democrat on the Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I have always fought for the vital economic and military assistance that Israel needs - not only because it is in Israel’s interest, but because it is in America’s interest.

"Last month, I called upon President Bush to respond to Israel’s urgent request for assistance to confront its unprecedented economic and military crisis. The President answered with the aid package he submitted to Congress last week.

"As House Democratic Leader, I pledge to you today: Democrats in Congress will be in the lead in the fight for passing this emergency package - and soon. As we always have, as we always will, Democrats will insist that Israel has the tools it needs - both to defeat terrorism and to work toward a just and lasting peace.

"Let no one ever question our unshakable commitment to the security that Israel must have and the safety of the Israeli people and to its qualitative military edge. Israel will never stand alone, because America will never abandon Israel.

"Third, for Israel to have peace, Israel needs a partner in peace. Yasser Arafat is not that partner.

"At Camp David, Israel was prepared to cede territory, dismantle settlements, and recognize an independent Palestinian state. And Yasser Arafat said no to peace.

"And then - even as Israel continued to negotiate and offer concessions - Arafat said yes to a campaign of violence and terror that continues to this day.

"President Bush’s statement last June made clear that any new Palestinian state requires a new Palestinian leadership. I applaud that. The President’s clarity was a catalyst. Palestinian moderates were strengthened. Arafat was weakened. And the new post of prime minister gives us guarded hope. A cabinet is being assembled. And the world is watching for genuine change.

"Therefore, as were many of you, as were many Democrats in Congress, I was seriously concerned about the timing, tone and effect of the President’s statement of March 14. Indeed, we should be worried when those with little sympathy for Israel welcomed the President’s words.

"Let there be no weakening in our resolve, no softening in our stance, no lowering of the threshold for the cessation of violence. Any roadmap toward peace must be based on real change on the ground, not artificial dates on the calendar.

"The terror must end. The new Palestinian prime minister must have the independence, the authority, and the personal commitment to lead the Palestinian people in a new direction.

"The new Palestinian leadership must be open and accountable. And the reconstituted Palestinian security services must prevent terrorism, not promote it.

"Only then will we realize a future of security, statehood and stability - security for Israelis, statehood for the Palestinians, and stability for the region.

"Fourth, we must address the real source of so much of the instability across the Middle East - the lack of freedom, prosperity and human rights, including women’s rights.

"Last year’s Arab Human Development Report stated it clearly: “The wave of democracy that transformed . . . most of Latin America and East Asia in the 1980s and Eastern Europe and much of Central Asia in the late 1980s and early 1990s has barely reached the Arab states. This freedom deficit undermines human development and is one of the most painful manifestations of lagging political development.”

"Those words were written by dozens of leading Arab intellectuals.

"If we want to achieve long-term peace and security in the Middle East, we must achieve security for Israel and a future for the Palestinian people. At the same time, it is clear that freedom, security, peace and prosperity can strengthen the hand of those in the Arab and Islamic world who want to pursue a more hopeful and peaceful path.

"These ideals that we cherish can make countries plagued by conflict and despair better places to live and better partners in creating a safer world.

"Finally, we must raise our voices of hope, and drown out the voices of hate.

"Whether in the Middle East, around the world, or in this country, we must be intolerant of intolerance. No one should ever fear, and no American should ever have their allegiance questioned because of their faith. As we protect and defend the American people against terrorism, however, we must protect and defend the Constitution and the civil liberties that define our democracy.

"Cissie and Amy told me there are hundreds of college students here today. Allow me to speak directly to the students. Thankfully, you are too young to have witnessed the darkest chapters of the last century - the Nazism, communism, and authoritarianism. But in your eyes I see the glow of one of the brightest stars of the past century - the founding of the State of Israel.

"You are the messengers to a future we will never know. It is your charge to build that future in the spirit of tikkun olam, the repairing of the world, in the spirit of peace and security.

"On behalf of all who cherish freedom, thank you for your commitment to the ideals and values that define our two democracies - the United States and Israel.

"My grandchildren tell me that this week begins the month of Nisan, the month of miracles, the month of deliverance. And over the coming weeks, Israelis and Jews everywhere will mark the miracles that have brought us to this day:

"The survivors who endured the darkness of the Shoah and who braved their way to the light of Israel;

"The heroes of Israeli independence who prevailed against overwhelming odds;

"And all those who have defended Israel through decades of struggle and sacrifice, including a fallen hero Americans and Israelis mourned together - Space Shuttle Columbia astronaut Colonel Ilan Ramon, who literally took the Torah to the stars.

"This is the spirit that defines the American-Israeli partnership. America stands with Israel now. America will stand with Israel forever.

"We will never abandon Israel. We will never abandon Israel.

"God bless you. God bless our men and women serving on the frontlines today. And God bless our special relationship between the United States of America and the State of Israel."

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi