a public service by the local cable, satellite provider. watch us on hd, like us on facebook and follow us on twitter. we're live now in the washington convention center here in washington, d.c. for the annual aipac conference. the american israel public affairs committee is described as america's pro-israel lobby. speaks this morning is israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu, czech republic president and former spanish prime minister jose maria oznar.

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[inaudible conversations]. >> once again we're live from the washington convention center in washington, d.c. for the american israel public affairs conference the aipac conference self-described as america's pro-israel lobby. today we expect to hear from israeli prime minister benjamin

netanyahu among others. by the way the coverage of aipac will continue this afternoon with national security advisor susan rice. she will be speaking at the conference starting at 6:00 p.m. eastern. you will be able to see her live on c-span3. the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu will continue his visit to washington with a joint meeting of congress. that speech is live 10:45 a.m. eastern. you will be able to see that on c-span.

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[inaudible conversations]. >> again we're waiting for the start of the aipac conference to get underway here. and the in washington d.c. at the washington convention center. should get underway with remarks from israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu. he will continue his vice it in washington tomorrow. he will speak to a joint meeting of congress. c-span will have it live starting 10:45 eastern. associated press reporting that secretary of state john kerry deliver ad vigorous defense of

israel before the human rights council, that unfair and biased focus on the jewish state that could undermine its credibility. his remarks came as the obama administration attempt to blunt complaints that it has not been strong support of israel in it is pursuit of a nuclear deal with iran.

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[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]. >> again waiting for the start of the aipac conference here in washington and bloomberg has a

look at, israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu's address before congress and controversy that it has created. it says his address may have divided the country and angered the white house but being cheered loudly at the aipac conference coming two weeks before the elections in israel and one month before the march 31st deadline for nuclear negotiations with iran. netanyahu's speech is causing a political riff with 48% of registered voters surveyed in a new nbc "wall street journal" poll congressional republicans invited israeli prime minister without giving the president obama advance noticed. 16,000 supporters gathered yesterday, ahead of aipac conference and many expressed support for netanyahu's speech and most believe they are giving iran too much wiggle room in the

negotiations over nuclear weapons. that article in bloomberg. [inaudible conversations] >> ladies and gentlemen, as a courtesy to our speakers, flash photography is prohibited. please turn off your cell phones and take your seats. our program will begin in five

minutes. ♪ ♪

♪ >> the aipac conference should be starting in a moment. while we wait remarks from talk

show host laura ingraham with remarks from the cpac conference which we carried on the c-span networks. >> how are you? great to see everybody. wow, you guys, first of all, everyone in the country who has watched what has happened at cpac over the last 24 hours i think, remember sam tan men's house book, is conservatism dead? no not dead. we're very much alive, thank you very much. you know i was thinking about this race for the presidency in 2016 and, and i know some of you guys, i know jeb bush is about to speak. he is going to have a q&a with my friend sean hannity. i'm looking forward to that but thinking about this for a moment some people, how many of you in the room are skeptical of

a bush, another bush term? wow. well, you guys, i think you have to look on the bright side, okay. look we've got a long way to go. it is anybody's nomination. don't let anybody tell you there is coronation at hand i think you have to look on the bright side. i think jeb could really explode the gender fan. let me tell you how. i think women would turn out in droves for jeb bush. what woman doesn't like a man who gives her a blank check at tiffany's? i mean diamonds are a girl's best friend that would be a great theme song for jeb bush. we could dispense with the whole nomination process all together. get, it is kind of an inconvenient running for president. do this dog-and-pony show. do you will at debates. why don't why don't we just call it quits and jeb and hillary can run on the same

ticket? [applause] i mean go through the list of things they agree on. common core amnesty, giving obama fast track trade authority. a lot of new trade deals with china. the surveillance culture. so, i am designing the bumper sticker t could be clush 2016. what difference does it make! [applause] look, in my opinion the whole process has become pretty frustrating, right? when you think about how this has gone down, the potential candidates come around. i think closed-door meetings, as opposed to, you know real conversations with the voters. i'm tired of the airbrush talking points. i'm tired of the back-room deals. i know scott walker spoke so

compellingly yesterday about the fact that we need air in the room. we need a real colloquy with the american voters because we've seen what happens when the elites are in charge without the people's input. they fail and fail and fail more. but we have to realize, my friends, you go into battle with the political system you have and we already know that the media and, much of the donor class is hostile to conservatism. and, guess what? that has been true for a very long time. they were joking on msnbc this morning about -- >> thank you very much. it's a pleasure to be back here with all of you in washington. in recent months we witness ad surge in anti-israel and ant at the semitic activity across europes and many other parts of the world. the attacks in paris and

copenhagen shook the conscience of jews everywhere and reinforced a the importance of a sovereign homeland for the jewish people. while these trends present new challenges to the global jewish community israel continues to receive critical support from key allies around the world and this morning we have the chance to hear from three of the most outspoken advocates for israel on the world stage. ladies and gentlemen, this is global leadership in focus. ♪ ladies and gentlemen our first two guests have championed support for israel in the international era, in the international arena. the honorable jose maria aznar served as prime minister and president of spain from 1996 to

2004. throughout his career, thank you [applause] throughout his career, president aznar served as a strong at very cat for the jewish state. founder of friends of israel, international effort whose mission seeks to counter the attempts to delegitimize the state of israel and right to live within peace in its defensible borders. we have the right honourable john baird, canada's foreign minister of foreign affairs. [applause] under minister baird's leadership canada consistently voted against anti-israel resolutions at the united

nations and stood up time and time again as a reliable ally to the jewish state. just last year minister baird said quote, canada will not stand behind israel at the united nations. we will stand right beside it. [applause] ladies and gentlemen again, please welcome former spanish president, jose maria aznar and former canadian prime minister john baird. [applause] thank you both for being with us today and for your strong leadership over the years. mr. baird, let he start with you, on batch of everyone in the room let me thank you for your remarkable leadership as foreign minister of canada. >> thank you. [applause] >> thank you. you and the government of prime minister stefen harper have consistently been a steadfast ally of israel and you said that canada doesn't just go along in order to get along. tell us more what you mean by this as it affects israel. >> pressure at virtually every international forum in the

united nations is to go along with the crowd. a lot easier to sit down and be quiet and not stand up for what you believe n not just important to have the right position when it comes to values and supporting israel, but you have the courage of your convictions, to stand up, speak out and be counted when the going gets tough. [applause] >> i was told this would be a tough crowd. >> president aznar honor to welcome you back to aipac. >> thank you. [applause] >> you spend a considerable amount of time traveling around the world as a statesman. what's your observation about the standing of israel today in europe and elsewhere? >> everywhere i go i hear hear about israel high-tech power, a land of opportunities but

unfortunately doesn't work automatically when we're talking about politics. and there is a double-standard that i reject totally. because one thing is to criticize a single question of a single government or a single policy for the decision of our government and another thing very dangerous and wrong that this is a mistake is to criticize, to train to delegitimatize the state of israel. we can not have that. [applause] this is very, very different no? anyway there are in some corners there are people thinking that -- that to escape the reality is better.

or that fear to confront enemies is better. i believe that the reality is, israel is only democracy that exists between morocco and afghanistan. is the only is the only western world that exists in the middle east. it's not a country in the middle east. it is only western world that exists in the middle east. and israel no fear confirm the situation. they have good allies good friends to support them in the present and in the future. [applause] >> thank you. mr. baird, you want to weigh in on that? do you have a similar assessment? >> you know, i think i was often asked what is, what with my job as canada's foreign minister and simply put the job was to

promote canadian values and to promote canadian interests and when it comes to israel those two intersect because obviously it is in our interest to insure security, stability of the only liberal democracy in the region and to, to stand up for the values that canada, united states, spain and israel all share. those are tremendously important. and the political correctness, the, anti-israel bias we see in so many international portions is deeply disturbing, we need to demonstrate that you can stand up to do the right thing and doesn't consequentially affect your relationship with the rest of the arab world. canada has probably the best relationship with the arab world we've had certainly in my lifetime. not everyone will agree with our position when it comes to israel but i think they respect when we take a definitive position. [applause] >> let me cut to a key issue that we're grappling with now.

we have world powers in the middle of negotiations with iran over it's nuclear program. how worried are you that a agreement would be finalized viewed by many as a bad deal? >> we're deeply concerned about the direction that the government in tehran is taking. i don't buy this pr job from the new president of iran. let's look at a few things. one, their human rights record not only continued to be abysmal, in many respects it actually deteriorated. second, their material support for terrorism in just about every country in the region continues to go unabated. you look at their material support for assad and the war he waged against his own people. finally when it comes to the nuclear program, the last thing we need a new nuclear arms race in the middle east. i can tell you the concern i have that we've gone so far from the united nations security council resolution f iran can maintain or be able to have a year breakout capacity we'll see

a new nuclear arms race. we must do everything we can as civilized world to stop that. [applause] >> president aznar what are your thoughts on this issue? >> we know, we begin the negotiations with iran under the resolution of the united nations and the will of the united states trying to dismantle the infrastructure and that iran became a nuclear power. why? because all of us consider that iran is existential threat for us, not only for israel but for us, for all of us. [applause] now, we are negotiating that we recognize iran as nuclear power. we recognize that iran can enrich uranium in significant

capabilities. we recognize that iran increasing their speed to enrich uranium in the future. when and how the regime of has decided. in my view the position of iran is the same. the nuclear problem continue to be existential threat for us. if you change positions, please tell me the reason why you changed positions. my position is the same. [applause] i'm trying to, i must explain why i consider that a nuclear iran is a -- but the rest, must explain how it is possible to pass the opposition to reject this possibility to expect that iran to become a nuclear power. >> you want to weigh in on this? >> i used to view iran's nuclear program almost exclusively

through the lens of israel but over the past four years i can tell you, just about every single arab country in the middle east shares the exact same concern that we all share. that is why it is so important we work in partnership. [applause] >> nuclear arms race. >> absolutely. i want to tell a story. i was visiting a number of years ago and a rabbi was speaking and he spoke very powerfully about the threat that iran posed. he reminded everyone in attendance that it was, i think on that day it was 70 years to the day that hitler became chancellor of germany. when he became chancellor of germany, his opinion and his political views on the jewish people were very well-known. he had published "mein kampf" 11 years before. when a regime undertake as nuclear program and they have been so crystal clear about their desire to, wipe israel off the face of the earth, we've got

to take that incredibly seriously. [applause] >> can you ask you something. i worried we won't get to this question otherwise. we've seen this rise of terrorism in europe. spain is no stranger to terrorist attacks against the public. how do you view the spate of terrorist attacks in europe and what does it say about europe's security picture? >> we know unfortunately in europe, in spain of different produced for the marxist troops and troops of soviet union. promote policies. but now terrorism is trying to impose a way of life that is different way of life and trying to, to establish sala fate

position of islam very radical. the -- in europe they have radical movements from the terrorists and this complicity between populations and terrorism is very dangerous for europe. they shake, neutralize, extend fear, extend silence and extend neutrality, to neutralize the capacity to react against terrorists. reinforce our values, is the responsibility of all the european and western leaders. [applause] >> last question for you, mr. baird, what keeps you up at night when you think about israel's future in the world today? >> i am tremendously concerned obviously about iran. it is in my judgment the biggest

threat to international peace and security in the world. i'm tremendously concerned about radical extremists islamic terrorists. i am, i'm also concerned frankly though about the growing anti-israel sentiment around europe. this is something that should cause us all a great concern whether it is among the european people or increasingly among a lot of european, the european political leadership. i was deeply disappointed, for example, in the united kingdom when there was a non-binding resolution recognizing the palestinian state around the peace process, around negotiations with israel and only 12 members of parliament had the courage to stand up to do the right thing to be counted. this has to be a real concern, not just frankly for supporters of israel in north america but for the jewish state and supporters around the world. >> thank you. thank you both for being here and your admirable leadership on all these issues. ladies and gentlemen former

president jose maria aznar and former prime minister john baird. thank you. >> thank you. ♪ >> thank you very much. now our next guest, ladies and gentlemen, is the first european head of state to address the aipac policy conference. he is a passionate ally of israel. a public supporter of its defense against terror and among the first to stand in solidarity against the rising tide of anti-semitism. ladies and gentlemen please welcome the president of the czech republic, president milosh

zeman. ♪ ♪ >> please. mr. president, thank you. thank you for being here. it's truly a great honor to be with you. please. [applause] >> shalom. [applause]

[speaking foreign language] one year ago, the czech republic is the best friend of israel all over europe. [applause] i am happy to speed the-- to meet the best friends ever is israel in america. [applause] well sometimes it is important to remember the history but, i will be very short about the history. let me remember only delivery of weapons and aircraft to israel.

in 1948. [applause] and remember the czech pilots who trained the pilots from israel and one of the pilots became the president of israel mr. reitzman. [applause] but now, we face the future and it is more important. there is growing wave of so-called international terrorism but i always say islamic terrorism. [applause]

and this is why we need two steps in order to fight against this growing wave. the first face is of course expression of solidarity. you know the famous slogan -- now we all must say, i am a jew. [applause]

[speaking hebrew] >> yes sir. >> but this is not enough. of course your discrimination is our discrimination. your victims are our victims. but, our society is to he-dnnistic and too consumption oriented. there is covetness and appeasement. fine we organize the demonstration and manifestation but it is not enough. what i propose is the systemic

and coordinated fight against the basis of islamic terrorism. i was informed that cover organization is muslim brotherhood. the chief of al qaeda is a member of the muslim brotherhood. the chief of taliban is a member of the muslim brotherhood. and the same with hamas, the same with hezbollah, the same with al nusra and so on and so on. so what i propose is coordinated action of international community if possible under the umbrella of security council, because superpowers have many, many

conflicts but one common enemy islamic terrorism. [applause] i wonder whether you saw the map of the so-called islamic caliphate? 2020. so you may say that it is idea of a madman. you may be right. but adolf hitler has been also the madman and he occupied practically all of europe. so, we need a new strategy in the fight against islamic terrorism, not massive occupation of territory.

no tanks. no infantry. no artillery but drones, rangers, and secret services. i met twice with the chief of mossad and i told him, it is not true that europe's secret service is most efficient one all over the world. it is true it is the single efficient one unfortunately. but in the end, i'd like to conclude my speech with remembrance of the past. the sentence i never forget till the end of my life.

the sentence, which was in the origin of the state the jewish state of israel and the sentence we must accept just now, if we are not willing to be the future victims of islamic terrorism, never again we shall go we shall march like a sheep to the slaughter. never again. thank you. [applause] . .

i just want to ask you one short question. why is it that your country has proven such solidarity with israel? what is the source of this? >> very simple. very simple question every simple answer. we have the same history with approximately -- we were surrounded by the enemies by

dictatorship. it was not only hitler in germany. it was also poland, hungary austria. and former czechoslovakia has been a single island of democracy in central europe, the heart of europe. [applause] and as was said you are the single island of democracy in the middle east, and there must be the solidarity between those islands against the ocean of dictatorship. [applause] >> okay. really, thank you. thank you president zeman.

thank you for your stead fast support for the state of visual. thank you very much. [applause] ♪ ♪ ♪ -- the state of israel. >> two explosions near the finish line of the boston marathon. >> from a law enforcement perspective our job has changed tremendous the. >> we have big problems. we are not immune. >> we don't have a terrorist

problem in western kentucky. hopefully we will never expense that but for one i don't want to be the sheriff when something even remotely similar to that occurs because we ignored the problem. >> certainly we have isis, al-qaeda, all these different options. they want to hurt is everywhere they can and that means here at home. >> i look for innovation, look for technology that can make our people and our community safer. >> israel is on the cutting edge from not only a technology but a tactical standpoint. >> i wanted to go to israel and to learn from people of dealt with some of these things quite frankly on a daily basis. >> i am in israel with a number of other sheriffs from across the country sharing and some experiences that relate to homeland security, counterterrorism and law enforcement.

>> we have terrorism and training. we have a bomb unit. >> here it is more for real. there's stuff going on here. the bombing of the other day in jerusalem, 20, 30 calls a shift and those are legitimate calls. failing is not an option. people died if they fail. >> there's suicide bombers rockets out of the gaza strip the we heard explosions on the border. i mean, you can see it firsthand, the people that deal with each and every day. >> they have had to become experts of necessity but they have done it well. thankfully they have been able to share with us so that we can make america a much safer country. ♪ ♪ >> coming back from israel one of the biggest things that i brought with me from a long force but perspective is the tactical mindset.

>> our need for the radar was very critical one. we've got to know where the threats are. with to know how many bad guys that are. >> one standing by the door. to moving by the back of the building. >> not only our swat team but other s.w.a.t. teams in the country using this technology. and it is deathly saved american lives. >> two guys holding one guy hostage. >> i brought the israeli expert here because want to expose our folks to tangible information, tangible tactics that can help make our communities and our country safer. >> the sheriff asked me if i can, over and help these guys with hostage rescue training. >> the same problem in that scenario was communication. >> the expense we have initial should be shared over because

terrorism is global. >> in some of these issues that we're worried about are almost an everyday reality for many folks in israel, answered to learn some somebody who lives, eats and breeze that on an operational level has been amazing. >> i really enjoyed the attitude in the spirit of the people. >> with most intriguing part to me was as aggressive as they have been infighting terrorists the restraint that they use, to me that was amazing. this is about as i think the american law enforcement has to maintain. >> since i've been back, i should my experiences with really the ever will listen to i can say that my community is a whole now understand the benefit benefit. >> i am so grateful that we have this relationship and i will just hope and pray that we as americans never ever forget the

partnership of israel. because we really do need each other. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome sheriff keith payne, thomas hudson, ira edwards, vernon stanford and paul babeu. [applause] >> as a youngster growing up in kentucky my daddy used to always done it at the very least that we could do a show our appreciation was to say thank you. so we are here today to do just exactly that. thank you aipac.

you should know that the work that you do is truly helping to protect america and israel but indeed the entire free world. as law enforcement officers -- [applause] as law enforcement officers and first responders, keeping our communities a safe haven for our constituents is the very benchmark of our collective profession. because of the trips you sponsor we are better prepared to deal with the challenges of both today and tomorrow. there's no doubt in my mind, folks, that the people in all the counties represented on this stage are safer today because what we and others have learned on our trips to israel. [applause] know that we are proud, we are proud to stand beside you in support of israel and the vital

role it plays in keeping us and the world safe and secure from all who would threaten to harm us. may god continue to bless each and everyone of you. thank you once again for allowing us to be with you in washington, and now it is truly been our honor to be here. [applause] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> the aipac policy conference has many traditions politics, passion, and people. lots and lots of people. one of aipac's most treasured tradition is our sense of

community. a welcoming atmosphere that embraces our differences and celebrates our aipac family. a tax policy conference gives all of us a chance to make new friends, and strengthen existing relationships. so remember continue the tradition. be sure to treat all of our speakers and fellow delegates as guests in our home. >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome -- [applause] >> as friends my sister are sure a lot including a love for israel and a desire to do our

part to keep a jewish state safe and strong. >> of course our family has been part of all the important events in our lives, from preschool place to our bat mitzvah, to our high school graduation. so we told them that aipac policy conference was among the most important event to was, they all agreed to come along and join us at this year's gathering. >> our parents and grandparents, our siblings our aunts and uncles, and cousins, three generations, 12 family members are here with us because the aipac conference is much more than politics. it's personal. >> so from our -- [applause] >> they are over there. so from our family to yours we invite you to sign up and join us next year when we hope to increase the size of our family delegation and welcome yours. >> registered day and ensure tomorrow is better brighter safer and stronger for all our

families. thank you. [applause] ♪ then ♪ >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome aipac chairman of the board michael katherine. [applause] >> before introduce our speaker let's give a round of applause for all the students who are here. aren't they amazing? [applause] >> 3000 students are here this year, and thanks to the generosity of the adam deals team foundation were joined by more than 300 students from

historically black colleges and universities, christian center campuses, and hispanic serving institutions. [applause] to all of you thank you for being here and for joining us on capitol hill tomorrow. our community is stronger because of you. our community also knows far too well how important it is to have a strong american voice at the united nations to defend our allies and our values. for the past two years, ambassador samantha power has been that voice working closely with her israeli colleague, ambassador power has helped recall anti-israel resolutions

at a constant at the united nations and in particular the u.n. security council. this past december ambassador power worked tirelessly to defeat the palestinian authority's attempt to achieve statehood recognition through a resolution at the united nations security council. [applause] in an era when much of the world has turned its back on the jewish state ambassador power has steadfastly defended our ally, israel. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the united states permanent representative to the united nations, ambassador samantha power. [applause]

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> thank you all, and thank you michael. it's a great honor to be here. before they can i want to thank howard kohr for the invitation and to congratulate lillian on her selection. i would also like -- [applause] i would also like to give a shout out to bob who was done so much for this organization, and for the u.s.-israel partnership. [applause] in 1942, a 28 year old polish diplomat and roman catholic

disguise himself as a chew, donning an armband with a star of david and smuggled himself through a tunnel into the warsaw ghetto. -- jew. later posing as a militia man, he infiltrated a nazi death camp of building them and escaped carrying hundreds of documents on a miniature microfilm. he eventually made his way to london where he showed the document to a nazi -- a jew and represent of poland's government in exile. they sent the following cable to the world jewish congress in new york. jews in poland almost completely annihilated, stop. read reports, ma deportation 10,000 euros per death. stop. forced to dig their own grave mass suicides hundreds of children thrown alive into

gutters. death camps thousands dead, not buried. mass graves murdered pregnant women, stop. jews naked dragged into death chambers, gestapo name as payment for quicker killing. hunting fugitives, stop. thousands daily victims throughout poland stop. believe the unbelievable stop. six years later on may 14, 1948, david ben-gurion issued a declaration of independence rid the state of israel. for generations choose a drink of being a free nation in their own land a vision articulated by theodor herzl in 1897 at a first zionist congress. but the show that you this long

held dream of the declarations authors called greater urgency the savagery witness was also a major incident and the creation of the institution where i can't represent the united states, the united nations. i began my career as a journalist, moved by the harrowing images of prisoners in concentration camps. i traveled to the balkans recovered the horrors of the war in which kids were picked off their bicycles by snipers. bosnian muslim women were systematically raped and some 8000 unarmed men and boys were murdered in the largest massacre in europe since world war ii. i also saw the citizens of bosnia look in false hope to u.n. peacekeepers to protect them. in the end they found rescue only from the u.s.-led coalition that finally intervened to stop

the slaughter. [applause] i was chilled by what i saw, and chilled equally by the slowness of the world response. i didn't understand how the world could save we have learned the lessons of the holocaust, and never again, only to witness sergey pfau, the rwandan genocide, and so much more. those questions with the epic this behind my first trip to israel nearly two decades ago. so much of what i saw there left an enduring impression but nothing so much as the children's memorial. the descent into a dark underground have earned a limited by a sea of projected yahrzeit candle thing to be to the memory of one and a half million children murdered at by nazis. projected in the darkness a

stream of photographs of the individual faces of the children who were killed as their names, countries images echo in the void implanting themselves in one's consciousness and into one's conscious. you do not need to be jewish to feel the searing loss held by the darkness. a loss like that tiny specks of light reflected in that cavernous room that is immeasurable infinite. of course, the story of the creation of israel and of the united nations, for that matter, is not much more than a reaction against the evils of the holocaust. the story is also the story of thousands of years of jews yearning for a homeland. and it is the story of a set of principles reflected in israel's founding document which envisioned a state quote based on freedom, justice, and peace as envisioned on the profits prophets of

israel, end quote. estate that would quote the faithful to the principles of the charter of the united nations, end quote. so it is bitterly unjust that the united nations an institution founded upon the idea that all nations should be treated equally is so often used cynically by member states to treat israel unequally. [applause] these attacks on israel's legitimacy are biased. they are ugly, and the united states of america will not rest until they stop. [applause] now, as a few of you may have heard, the prime minister of israel is in town -- [applause]

rumor has it that he may be giving a couple speeches. you may also have heard, you may also have heard lately of tension in the relationship between the united states and israel. let me today separate out a few different issues. politics, policy, what the united states does each and every day to combat anti-semitism around the world and to fight attacks against israel at the united nations. [applause] we believe firmly that israel's security and the u.s.-israel partnership transcends politics, and it always will. [applause]

that is a very important statement you all have made. it was the same bond that led president truman to make the united states the first country to recognize israel, 11 minutes after it declared its existence in 1948. [applause] and it is why we have stood by israel's side every minute since. our commitments to our partnership with israel are bedrock commitments rooted in shared fundamental values cemented through decades of bipartisan reinforcement. this partnership should never be politicized, and they cannot and will not be tarnished or broken. [applause]

now, debating the most effective policy both within our respective democracies and among partners is more than useful. it is a necessary part of arriving at informed decisions. politicizing the process is not. the stakes are too high for that. [applause] on policy, the negotiations that we and our partners have entered into with iran, negotiations aimed centrally at denying iran a nuclear weapon have generated reasonable debate. my colleague and different gnashes good advisor susan rice will speak in depth about iran later tonight. but i am struck that when i read about alleged policy differences on the iran nuclear negotiations i rarely see mentioned of the foundational strategic agreements between united states and israel. an agreement that undergirds our entire engagement with iran.

the united states of american will not allow iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, period. [applause] now, let me put president obama's commitment to deny iran a nuclear weapon in context. the obama administration has invested more than $20 billion in foreign military financing for israel, far more than for any other country and more than at any previous time in the history of the u.s.-israel relationship. [applause] and, and the president not only committed to deny iran and nuclear weapons before negotiations with iran began, he has reiterated the same commitment during negotiations and he will keep his commitment

whether the negotiations collapse or produce a diplomatic solution that meets our bottom line. maybe the president has made this point so often that it isn't heard in the same way anymore, but we have to keep repeating it. talk, no talk. agreement, no agreement. the united states will take whatever steps are necessary to protect our national security and that of our closest allies. [applause] we believe diplomacy is the preferred route to secure our shared aim but if diplomacy should fail, we know the stakes of nuclear-armed iran as well as everyone here, we will not let it happen. [applause] there will never be a sunset on america's commitment to israel's security, never.

[applause] now, let me turn to aspects of u.s.-israel partnership that get far less attention. what the united states is doing every day to combat anti-semitism around the world and to have israel's back at the united nations. we are living in an era where anti-semitism is searching by every measure, reported harassment, polling data violent attacks and we should all be extremely disturbed by. last summer, we saw rallies about the gaza violence at which protesters chanted hamas hamas, jews to the gas. and a similar rally in paris where protesters marched on the synagogue chanting jews to the oven. we see children have to walk through areas of family armed soldiers to get into the jewish schools, and congregants forced to walk through metal detectors to enter their synagogues. and we have seen murders.

the attack in paris and the attack before on the jewish school and the jewish museum in brussels. last month's attack on a synagogue in copenhagen. then there are the designs we cannot see but that are no less chilling. jews thinking twice before shopping in a kosher shopping market. putting on a checkbook or hanging a mezuzah outside a home. in 2004 all 55 countries in the organization for security and cooperation in europe, including the united states, convened in berlin to make a historic pledge to combat all forms of anti-semitism. win last november the countries we assemble to mark the 10th anniversary of the pledge president obama asked me to lead the presidential delegation to the meeting. what i told the leaders gathered is what you already know anti-semitic attacks are not on a threat to the jewish community, they are a threat to european liberalism and

pluralism. the very ideals that jan tarski -- jan karski was willing to risk his life for. i told them that while a freedom of expression is a sacred right criticism of israel can never be used as a justification for incitement to violence. [applause] and i told them that when leaders speak up nations take notice. unfortunately, president obama was one of the few leaders to send a cabinet level representative to this important and necessary conference. even more alarming only two-thirds of the countries that participated in the 2004 anti-semitism conference were represented in 2014. given that the situation has only gotten worse, i asked european policymakers, doesn't this issue at the very least merit the same show of solidarity and commitment from governments today as it did decades ago, a decade ago? we believe it demands that and

more. we believe that has anti-semitism rises, so let's check -- so must our collective resolve to defeat. that is why in recent years the united states has been relentlessly pushing countries to take swift, robust steps to address it from developing hate crime legislation to prosecuting vigorously the perpetrators of anti-semitic acts, to designate senior officials to coordinate efforts to combat anti-semitism as a united states did act in 2004. now, the last place you might expect meaningful action to combat anti-semitism is at the united nations. as you all know, it was 40 years ago in 1975 that the u.n. general assembly adopted a resolution with the support of 75 of the than 142 member states. that resolution officially determined that, quote zionism is a form of racism, end quote.

when daniel patrick moynihan, the u.s. ambassador to the u.n. at the time, passionately objected to the resolution -- [applause] when he passionately objected to the resolution he told the general assembly, the abomination of anti-semitism has been given the appearance of international sanction. what we have here is a lie. and it was precisely because of this lie and the fact that the general assembly does not act fairly towards israel that we worked over the last year with israel, the european union canada, and other nations to convened the first ever meeting on anti-semitism in the very same u.n. general assembly that gave us a zionism is racism. the late great moynihan would not have believed the scene in the general assembly hall on january 22, this year, when more than 50 countries, including a

good number that i voted for the 1975 resolution, and people of all states took the podium not only to denounce anti-semitism and attacks like the barbers killings in paris that had occurred on january 9, but also to commit their countries to take concrete steps to stop its alarming rise. going forward, all countries now need to be held to those pledges. [applause] let me give you just a sampling of what we've done across the u.n. system to defend israel and its right to be treated like any other nation. win 18 buys resolution against israel were proposed during the u.n. general assembly, last september, as they are every fall we opposed every one of them. [applause] -- bias resolution. >> when the council held a special session last like to create a commission of inquiry to invest human rights violations committed in the

context of military operations in the palestinian territories we cast the sole no vote on a profoundly flawed resolution to focus overwhelming criticism on israel without once mentioning hamas. not once. [applause] and this after hamas had fired approximately 4000 rockets on israel from gaza last year. before the united states join the u.n. human rights council in 2009 more than half of all the countries specific resolutions adopted refocused on israel. today we have held lower that proportion to less than one-third. but let me stress the human rights council still adopted many more resolutions criticizing israel than it has on north korea, a totalitarian state instate and roughly 100,000 people are currently being held in gulags and where children are forced to which the execution of their parents.

at the security council we have also guarded vigilantly against any resolution that threatens israel's security or undermines the pursuit of peace. that is why in december we opposed efforts to pass a deeply imbalance security council resolution on palestinian statehood, and successfully rallied other countries to do the same. [applause] as i told the u.n. security council at the time, the united states recognizes as do many israeli leaders that a two-state solution is vital to ensuring the preservation of a jewish and democratic israel. and we stand ready we stand ready as we always have to support and engage with the parties in working toward a two-state solution. but progress toward that solution will require brave leadership and tough decisions. and that success of u.s. -- have me quiver decades, is ready settlement activity damages the prospects for for peace, norwell one

sided actions an international body or secession to international treaties such as actions against israel at the international criminal court hopeless get to a negotiated solution applause but -- help us get. it is a false choice to tell israel that it has to choose between peace on the one hand and security on the other. the united nations would not ask any of the country to make that choice, and it should not ask israel. [applause] we have prepped the u.n. security council to respond when israelis are victims of terror. for seven years leading up to 2012, the council would not even issue a single press statement condemning an attack on israel. last year issued three concluding one denouncing the sickening kidnapping and murder of the three israeli teenagers.

[applause] day in and day that we fight for israel's wall and equal participation in u.n. bodies, membership in these groups may sound bureaucratic, these are the organs were actual policies are hammered out. they matter. for years israel was the only u.n. member state that was excluded from the regional body at the u.n. in geneva, and the only group that had no group to caucus with the new york in the general assembly committee that addresses human rights. i was determined to change this, and we did. in january 2014 after a sustained full-court diplomatic press, we helped secure for is a permanent membership in what's called the western european and others group, the group that we belong to, and in february 2014 we secured israel's never shut in the like-minded human rights caucus in which it had long been excluded in your. now, no one will have to fight those battles again.

[applause] unfortunately there are so many more so many more battles to confronting anti-israel bias is part of a long bipartisan american tradition at the u.n. but it is part of the legacy of every single u.s. ambassador to the united nations who has come before me from my predecessor ambassador reiss, who thought highly for is to equal treatment and open place the toughest most lateral sanction regime against iran, from moynihan to kirkpatrick, albright to holbrooke. why does the u.s. put so much into this effort? i would world expedition that president johnson gave shortly after the six day war when the soviet premier asked him why the united states was supporting israel, a nation so vastly outnumbered by neighboring countries with which it was at war. johnson responded, quote numbers do not determine what is right, end quote.

that was true for america's support for israel in 1967 ended two for america's support for israel today. [applause] and the reason it is right as johnson said, is because we believe in israel. we believe in the value of pluralism, freedom and democracy that it represents. and we believe the jewish people should always have a homeland that is safe and secure. [applause] but there's another reason. there's another reason we put so much into ensuring israel gets to see it deserves every table and can take part in responding to the great challenges of our time. given equal opportunity to contribute, israel has shown time and again how much it has to offer the world. consider israel's put his budget and the u.n.'s responses to global humanitarian crisis like the recent ebola outbreak a cost which israel contribute one of the highest per capita

amounts of money and resources. at the same time it delivered mobile ebola treatment units to the affected countries or think about its rapid deployment following the devastating earthquake in haiti in 2010, of an entire field hospital together with 200 personnel which deployed with the help of the united states within four days of the earthquake. if those are not modern day -- applause but if those are not modern-day embodiments i don't know what is. [applause] there is a broader reason that why we fight relentlessly for israel to be treated equally at the u.n., and that is to bring to you in closer to meeting the goals of its charter. as anything i've said up to this point should make clear, i am under no illusions about the flaws and contradictions within the u.n. but we do not have the option of walking away. whether bringing countries

together to expand the global coalition confronting isil or enabling peacekeeping missions to stop atrocities, the u.n. can help advance america's and israel's shared interests. the problems we see of the u.n. including anti-israel bias do not exist because of the u.n. organization, per se, the u.n. is the venue where various countries biases are aired. we will never accept this, ever, but we cannot kid ourselves into thinking the giving up on the u.n. will cure this problem but instead we must commit ourselves to forging through our principles, our arguments and our sweat the world that we seek. that is what ambassador moynihan saw so clearly in 1975 when he told the u.n. as it prepared to pass the infamous resolution quote, what we have at stake is not merely the honor and the legitimacy of the state of israel, although a challenge to the legitimacy of any member nation ought always to arise the vigilance of all members of the

united nations. for yet a more important matter he said, is at issue. which is the integrity of the whole body of moral and legal precepts, which we know as human rights, end quote. those stakes have not changed. and if we are to confront today's threats, whether they stem from terrorist fighters are deadly diseases, from totalitarian governments or crushing poverty we need more countries to share our commitments and values so we can make the world more just and more secure. let me conclude, for israel, too often the right to be treated equally and at times even the right to exist at all has been challenged. israel's history in part is a story of perpetually overcoming these challenges. it is a story that is still being written as the obstacles persist in so many forms from virulent anti-semitism around

the world to the terrorists and regimes that continue to threaten israel. and throughout his shared history the united states has stood shoulder to shoulder with our partner through thick and thin. several decades ago when, like today, some worth citing tension in the ties between the united states in israel, a wise senator from massachusetts said, quote it is worth remembering that israel is a cause that stands beyond the ordinary changes and chances of american public life. in our pluralistic society it has not been a jewish cause any more than irish independence was solely the concern of americans of irish descent. the ideals of zionism he went on, have in the last half-century been repeatedly endorsed by presidents and members of congress in both parties. friendship for israel is not a partisan matter, he said. it is a national commitment end

quote. [applause] that year was 1960. the senator was john f. kennedy but his words hold true today. the bond between the united states and israel is still in national commitment. it should never be a partisan matter. it runs much deeper than anyone issue or anyone generation. now as then we cannot and we will not lose sight of that. thank you so much. [applause] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ..

♪ [applause]

>> if they write in the darkness come it is a symbol of hope still it is called dark and permanence that i have learned how to change it. i am from a small town. a few years ago a siren went off as it often does. in my community it means ten to 15 seconds to run for shelter. on that day there was nowhere to run, no safety, no cover so i leaned against the wall and i prayed. the rocket exploded on the other side of the wall and all that stood between me and death.

when the police came something made me ask if i could keep it. i brought it home. i studied it for a long time. at first i was afraid of what it meant. it sat in my studio smiling at me. i wanted to stop being afraid. i wanted to know who sent it and force them to see the beauty in the world. the rocket is my therapy. it gives me peace. i burned the rocket in the

furnace [inaudible] finally, i hammered them down. and then i used the torch. each revealing a new paddle slowly softening them to create each bloom. i chose to speak of life and rebirth. to me it means home. it will mark the year when the rocket landed. i hope it is making the world a better place. i hope that my work helps people see that israel wants peace not

war. i hope that someday we and the people of gaza find a way to live without weapons and death. [applause] i will make it into something beautiful. thank you. [applause] ♪ ladies and gentlemen please welcome aipac president bob cohen. ♪

we are honored this morning to be joined by the prime minister of the state of israel, benjamin nathaniel -- netenyahu. [applause] >> throughout his distinguished career prime minister netanyahu has courage and passion. he has warned the world about the threat of militant islam, thoughts against the anti-israel a campaign at the united nations and long recognized the danger of a nuclear capable iran.

not just to israel but the entire world. mr. prime minister, today with so much at stake america's pro israel community including pro israel community including more than 16,000 people in this room welcome you to washington. [applause] we are thrilled to brought family with you from jerusalem. ladies and gentlemen please welcome the wife of the prime minister, sarah netanyahu. [applause] we welcome you both to this

conference in celebration of the shared interest and values of two great democracies and we stand here to send a clear message, we stand with the people of israel in their quest to stop iran. we stand with the people of israel in their quest for peace with their neighbors. [applause] and we stand with the people of israel in their quest for a brighter future. ladies and gentlemen please join me in welcoming the prime minister of the state of israel, mr. benjamin netanyahu. [applause]

♪ [cheering]

>> 15,000 people. anyone here from california? florida? [cheering] new york? [cheering] those are the easy ones. how about colorado? [cheering] indiana? i think i got it. montana? [applause] you are here in record numbers. you are here from coast to coast, from every part of this great land and kunar here at a critical time. you are here to tell the world that reports of the demise of

the u.s. relationship is not only premature but it is wrong. [applause] the alliance is stronger than ever. and because of you and millions like you throughout this country it's going to get even stronger in the coming years. [applause] to all of the leadership of aipac, thank you. for your tireless dedicated work in the partnership between israel and the united states i want to thank most especially members of congress, democrats

and republicans i deeply appreciate your steadfast support for israel your incoming year out and you have our fondest gratitude. [applause] i would welcome the president czech republic. the president of israel never forgets its friends and the people have always been steadfast friends of israel at the inception of zionism and when i entered that was one of the rifles that was given to us

by your people in our time of need in 1948, so thank you for being here today. [applause] also are two great friends of israel the former prime ministers of spain. last month the former canadian minister thank you for your unwavering support you are the true champions of israel and the

champions of the truth. [applause] i also want to recognize the u.s. ambassador to israel for your genuine friendship and for the great job you're you are doing representing the united states of israel. [applause] and i want to recognize and thank the ambassador for the exemplary job he's doing in the un in a very difficult for them

for him -- forum. [applause] and i want to recognize the other ron who knows how to take the heat, the ambassador to the united states, ron durmer. [applause] i couldn't be prouder to have you representing israel with washington and finally i want to recognize my wife sarah who is in the face of adversity is an inspiration to me. [applause]

she divides her time as a child psychologist and a loving mother and her public duty as the wife of a prime minister i am so glad to have you here with me today, to have you here with me at my side always i bring greetings to you from jerusalem the undivided capital. [applause] and to bring news to you that you might not have heard i will be speaking for congress tomorrow. [applause]

never has so much been written about a speech that hasn't been given and i would like to speak today about the content of that speech but i do want to say a few words about the purpose of the speech. first let me clarify what is not the purpose of that speech. my speech is not intended to show any disrespect to president obama or the office that he holds. i have great respect for both. [applause]

i deeply appreciate all the president obama has done for israel security cooperation intelligence sharing, support in the un and much more something devoted in the confidence that are kept between the american president dan of the israeli prime minister i am greatly deeply appreciative and so should you be. [applause] my speech is also not intended to inject israel into the american part of the debate and an important reason why our alliance has gone grown stronger decade after decade is that it is the champion by both parties and so it must remain. [applause]

both democratic and republican presidents that work together with friends from both sides of the aisle and congress to strengthen israel and our alliance between the two countries, and working together provided generous military assistance and missile defense spending we have seen how important it was just last summer. working together, they have made israel the first free-trade partner of america 30 years ago and its first official strategic partner last year. [applause] be backed israel defending itself in the war and in our efforts to achieve the durable peace with our neighbors. working together it's made israel is made israel stronger and working together made our

alliance stronger. [applause] that's why the last thing that i would want is for israel to become an issue and i regret some people have misperceived my visit here this week as doing that. israel has always been a bipartisan issue and should always remain a bipartisan issue. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, the purpose of my address to congress tomorrow is to speak up about a potential deal with iran that could threaten the survival of israel.

iran is the foremost state sponsor of terrorism in the world. look at that map that you see on the wall. it shows iran training, arming dispatching the terrorists. they develop the entire world with ticker. this is what iran is doing now without nuclear weapons. imagine what iran would do with nuclear weapons and the same vows to annihilate israel if it develops nuclear weapons it would have the means to achieve that goal. we must not let that happen. [applause]

and as the prime minister of israel i have a moral obligation to speak up in the face of these dangers while there is still time to comfort them. for 2000 years, the jewish people were stateless, defenseless, voiceless. we were powerless against our enemies who swore to destroy us. we suffered relentless persecution and attacks. we could never speak on our own behalf and we could defend ourselves. no more. [applause] the days when the jewish people or passage in the threat to annihilate us those days are over. [applause]

today in our sovereign state of israel, we defend ourselves. [applause] and being able to defend ourselves we allied with others most importantly the united states of america to defend our common civilization against common threats. in our part of the world and increasingly in every part of the world no one makes alliances with the week. you seek out those who have

resolved those who have determination to fight for themselves. that's how alliances are formed. so, we defend ourselves and in so doing, create the basis of a broad alliance and today we are no longer silent. today we have a voice. [applause] and tomorrow as prime minister of the one and only jewish state, i plan to use that voice. [applause] i plan to speak about and iranian regime that is threatening to destroy israel

that's devouring country after country in the middle east that's exporting terror throughout the world and that is developing as we speak the capacity to make nuclear weapons, lots of them. ladies and gentlemen, israel and the united aides agree that iran shouldn't have nuclear weapons. but we disagree on the best way to prevent them from developing those weapons. disagreements among allies are really natural from time to time even among the closest of allies because there are important differences between america and israel. the united states of america is a large country, one of the largest. israel is a small country, one of the smallest.

america lives in one of the world's safest neighborhoods. israel lives in the world must change this. america is the strongest power in the world. israel is strong that it's much more vulnerable. american leaders worry about the security of their country. israeli leaders worry about the survival of their country. [applause] i think that encapsulates the difference. i've been kind mr. of israel for nine years. there's not a single day not one day that i didn't think about the survival of my country and the actions that i take to ensure that survival not one day. [applause]

and because of these differences america and israel have had some serious disagreements over the course of our friendship. it started with at the beginning. in 1948, secretary of state george marshall opposed the intention to declare statehood. he vehemently opposed it. but understanding what was at stake he went ahead and declared the independence. in 1967, as the noose was tightening around their knack, the united states warned the prime minister that if israel acted alone, it would be a loan but israel did act alone to defend itself. in 1981 under the leadership of the prime minister israel

destroyed a nuclear reactor. [applause] the united states criticized israel and suspended for three months. and in 2002, after the worst wave of the attacks in history, the premise or launched prancer launched an operation in the defense and the united states demanded that israel withdraw its troops immediately but they continued until the operation was complete. [applause] there's a reason i mention all of these. i mention them to make a point. despite the occasional disagreements the friendship between america and israel grew stronger and stronger, decade after decade. [applause]

and our friendship will weather the current disagreements to grow even stronger in the future. [applause] and i will tell you why. because we share the same dreams. because we pray and hope and aspire for that same set of rules. because the values that unite us are much stronger than the differences that divide us. [applause] values like liberty equality, justice tolerance compassion. as we descend into medieval barbarism israel is the one that upholds these values common to us and to you. [applause] as they drop bombs on their own people, the israeli doctors treat victims in hospitals right

across the fence. [applause] as christians in the middle east are beheaded and the communities are decimated, israel's christian community is growing and thriving. only one such community in the middle east. [applause] has been in the region are oppressed the women in israel serve as chief justice is in the sea fighter pilots, two women chief justices in secession.

that's pretty good. in the dark and a savaged in the desperate middle east israel is a beacon of humanity of life and hope. [applause] ladies and gentlemen israel and the united states will continue to stand together because america and israel are more than friends. we are like a family. disagreements are always uncomfortable. but we must remember that we are family. [applause] rooted in the heritage of holding the common values sharing a common destiny. that is the message i came to tell you today.