Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney both warned Americans at the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) that an early pullout by US-led forces from Iraq would be a disaster for the entire Middle East.
Livni told participants at the Washington event that “impressions are important” in this region and added, “This is relevant concerning decisions on Iran, it is true regarding Iraq, and it is true throughout the Middle East.”
The Foreign Minister underscored the nuclear threat presented to the region by Iran’s drive to develop nuclear energy and its extreme Islamist views. Many in the global community are convinced the Islamic Republic is intent on building a nuclear weapon and well on the way to doing so.
Livni also added pointedly that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made no secret of his intent to annihilate the State of Israel. “To address extremism is to address Iran,” she said. “It is a regime which denies the Holocaust while threatening the world with a new one.”
Livni also appealed to Arab nations for help in dealing with the Palestinian Authority. “You have the power to change reality and to encourage the Palestinians to embrace co-existence,” she told the 5,000-strong crowd.
“Normalize relations with us now,” the Foreign Minister exhorted Israel’s neighbors, “and peace will come.”
Cheney, who together with Livni, headlined the list of power brokers who were set to address this year’s conference, reiterated his country’s support for Israel in its struggle against radical Islam.
He too, spoke about the need to not rush out of Iraq, which, he said, could end up harming Israel if its enemies feel empowered. The American Vice President also chided opponents of the war in Iraq who have called on the Bush administration to ratchet up the pressure on Iran.
“It is simply not consistent for anyone to demand aggressive action against the menace posed by the Iranian regime while at the same time acquiescing in a retreat from Iraq that would leave our worst enemies dramatically emboldened and Israel’s best friend, the United States, dangerously weakened,” said Cheney.
He added that the international Al-Qaeda terrorist organization – or Iran – would benefit the most from an early American pullout from Iraq. “A sudden withdrawal of our coalition would dissipate much of the effort that’s gone into fighting the global war on terror,” he said.
Livni told participants at the Washington event that “impressions are important” in this region and added, “This is relevant concerning decisions on Iran, it is true regarding Iraq, and it is true throughout the Middle East.”
The Foreign Minister underscored the nuclear threat presented to the region by Iran’s drive to develop nuclear energy and its extreme Islamist views. Many in the global community are convinced the Islamic Republic is intent on building a nuclear weapon and well on the way to doing so.
Livni also added pointedly that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has made no secret of his intent to annihilate the State of Israel. “To address extremism is to address Iran,” she said. “It is a regime which denies the Holocaust while threatening the world with a new one.”
Livni also appealed to Arab nations for help in dealing with the Palestinian Authority. “You have the power to change reality and to encourage the Palestinians to embrace co-existence,” she told the 5,000-strong crowd.
“Normalize relations with us now,” the Foreign Minister exhorted Israel’s neighbors, “and peace will come.”
Cheney, who together with Livni, headlined the list of power brokers who were set to address this year’s conference, reiterated his country’s support for Israel in its struggle against radical Islam.
He too, spoke about the need to not rush out of Iraq, which, he said, could end up harming Israel if its enemies feel empowered. The American Vice President also chided opponents of the war in Iraq who have called on the Bush administration to ratchet up the pressure on Iran.
“It is simply not consistent for anyone to demand aggressive action against the menace posed by the Iranian regime while at the same time acquiescing in a retreat from Iraq that would leave our worst enemies dramatically emboldened and Israel’s best friend, the United States, dangerously weakened,” said Cheney.
He added that the international Al-Qaeda terrorist organization – or Iran – would benefit the most from an early American pullout from Iraq. “A sudden withdrawal of our coalition would dissipate much of the effort that’s gone into fighting the global war on terror,” he said.