Senator John Edwards Defense of Israel

Israel, Zionism, Politics, and Aliya | 6 October 2004 | Caitlyn M. Martin

[anotherview]

Senator John Edwards' Defense of Israel

by Caitlyn M. Martin

The following is from the Vice Presidential debate between Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John Edwards on October 5, 2004. Senator Edwards made perhaps the best, most concise, clearest defense of the Israeli government and it's fight against terror. He did so during the current IDF incursion into Gaza which has drawn so very much international criticism. Whether or not you plan on voting for Senator Kerry and Senator Edwards, this statement deserves to be highlighted and shared.

First, the Israeli people not only have the right to defend themselves, they should defend themselves. They have an obligation to defend themselves.

I mean, if I can, just for a moment, tell you a personal story. I was in Jerusalem a couple of years ago, actually three years ago, in August of 2001, staying at the King David Hotel.

We left in the morning, headed to the airport to leave, and later in the day I found out that that same day, not far from where we were staying, the Sbarro Pizzeria was hit by a suicide bomber in Jerusalem. Fifteen people were killed. Six children were killed.

What are the Israeli people supposed to do? How can they continue to watch Israeli children killed by suicide bombers, killed by terrorists?

They have not only the right but the obligation to defend themselves.

Now, we know that the Prime Minister has made a decision, an historic decision, to unilaterally withdraw from Gaza. It's important for America to participate in helping with that process.

Now, if Gaza's being used as a platform for attacking the Israeli people, that has to be stopped. And Israel has a right to defend itself. They don't have a partner for peace right now. They certainly don't have a partner in Arafat, and they need a legitimate partner for peace.

And I might add, it is very important for America to crack down on the Saudis who have not had a public prosecution for financing terrorism since 9/11. And it's important for America to confront the situation in Iran, because Iran is an enormous threat to Israel and to the Israeli people.

Thank you Senator Edwards. Let's hope the world was listening.

[anotherview]

I don't expect this posting to be popular on Free Republic. I happen to agree with Cait that the Senator's statements were an excellent, concise defense of Israel and need to be quoted. Even liberal Democrats get some things right :) I noticed that Vice President Cheney certainly didn't disagree with him.

[ralph rotten]

Yes that the way the wind is blowing----lets check his position's tomorrow

[Steven W.]

I thought his statement was one of the supidest he made - he was so afraid of taking a stance, policy wise, he resorted to this "gee, hours after I left some place in proximity of where I was was bombed". It was as weak as Kerry / Edwards are with respect to Israel and it's absurd to think Kerry wouldn't sell Israel out to the PLO and UN at the blink of Edwards' eyelashes.

[MNJohnnie]

don't expect this posting to be popular on Free Republic. I happen to agree with Cait that the Senator's statements were an excellent, concise defense of Israel and need to be quoted. Even liberal Democrats get some things right :) I noticed that Vice President Cheney certainly didn't disagree with him.


Problem is Edwards said it to appease the Jewish American vote that is vital to the Democrat Ticket. Cheney is part of an Administration that actually walks the walk. Kerry-Edwards just talk the talk. In front of a Muslim group during the Primary Kerry was harshly critical of Israel.

Bush-Cheney says the same things about Israel no matter whom they speak too. So please do NOT feel fooled by Edwards style. It's just more hot air.

[VoodooEconomics]

The argument could have been extended to Iraq during Saddam's regime.

[Troublemaker]

gee, hours after I left some place in proximity of where I was was bombed

....and there's a good chance that bomber's family received a nice payment from Saddam.

[jpl]

In other words, he didn't say anything that anyone with half a brain already knows, and of course he neglected to mention how exactly we're going to go about finding that elusive Palestinian "peace partner".

[ClearCase_guy]

Personally, I hope Israel takes out Iran's nuclear capability. As Edwards says, they not only have a right, they have an obligation to defend themselves.

The recipe: "nuclear weapons" + "anti-Israel government pronouncements by fanatical Islamofascists" = big boom

I'm sure the Democrats would be pleased.

[ArmyBratCutie]

President GW Bush is the best friend in the White House, Israel ever had....too bad they dont get that.....

[MNJohnnie]

"Now, if Gaza's being used as a platform for attacking the Israeli people, that has to be stopped"


Come ON people have to be smarter then this. He is the Lawyer weasal escape clause. "IF"? EVERYONE KNOWs it GAZA is a base to attck Israel. If this was really the vigirous strong defense of Israel the DNC directed author wanted you to belive it is, Edwards would not of said "IF"

Now contrast that to the Bush Administration veto of the UN Resolution condeming Israel this week.

What is it about the Left that they cannot look beyond the style to see the substance?

[synskyn]

It is a shame Israel's defense likely won't pass the global test...

[claudiustg]

The problem is that most of his liberal followers don't agree and as Vice President he won't be leading anyone anywhere and he didn't propose anything more than lip service. Empty rhetoric from an empty suit.

[Veritas et equitas ad Votum]

It's not popular, but it's clearly BS also and anyone who stops to think about it can see so. For example, the Israeli wall doesn't pass the "global test", and our "allies" have clearly not supported it. Not to mention, how many of the anti-Semitic UNSC's resolutions gone against Israel?

So...I predict that after John/John gets flushed next month, Edwards will take to defending "Palestinian" children in the world court in their lawsuits against Sharon.

[Alas Babylon!]

Well, those ARE good words, words I can agree with..... so why do/did the democrats support Yassir Arafat, a known terrorist and killer of Israeli civilians? Why do they constantly push Israel to negotiate with the PLO terrorists WHILE the PLO terrorists are bombing and killing? Why do they constantly call on Israel to show restraint after each violent attack?

One thing I really note about the Kerry/Edwards camp is that they can talk a good game, but their records simply do not match, and are often diametrically opposed to their rhetoric.

In other words, they LIE.

[codercpc]

I also thought it was an excellent response, only one problem though, Israels defense would never, ever pass Kerrys GLOBAL TEST!!

[shhrubbery!]

were an excellent, concise defense of Israel

I saw it as just another emotional appeal by an ambulance chaser who's slick at making emotional appeals to a jury.

In this case, the jury was the American Jewish vote. Dims appear to be worried that GWB will get a larger proportion of the Jewish vote this year, because of his demonstrated support for Israel.

Note that Edwards didn't offer any specifics of either his or Kerry's actions in support of Israel. Maybe because there aren't any?

[applpie]

There is no way a liberal like Edwards is going to support Israel. That was just for debate purposes. The real action if they were to win would be more along the line of Clinton.

[sheik yerbouty]

If you believed "The Breck Girl", I have two very large buildings for sale in lower Manhattan...

[Salem]

"I don't expect this posting to be popular on Free Republic."

No, not really.

Position and policy on Israel by the Democrats has not changed, reflected best in the conduct of the Clinton Administration towards Israel as well as the constant feting of Arafat at the White House during that time. The Oslo failure was inevitable.

The only reason Edwards stated such an assertive position is because, first, the Evangelical Christian community in America, with their vast alternative media resources and aggressive support of the Nation of Israel, is having a major impact on American culture and, therefore, second, starting to draw down on a wide bloc in the Democrat party's voter rolls.

I question Edwards motives and sincerity. The Democrats have not changed.

"...Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." (Jeremiah 13:23)






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