Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, At the Israeli Presidential Conference 2009, Facing Tomorrow, Jerusalem

October 21, 2009

For Immediate Release

The Responsibility We Share for Our Common Future

Thank you, Dr. Attali, for that kind introduction.

Todah rabah. Erev tov. Thank you very much, and good evening. I’m delighted to be here with you all, and I’m delighted to be back in Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Aznar, President Klaus, President Kuchma, President Mesic, and President Ivanov, it is an honor to join you.

I’m especially honored to be here at the invitation of President Shimon Peres—an inspiration and a hero to us all. On behalf of President Obama, I want to extend America’s deepest thanks for everything you do to move Israel—and the world—toward lasting security and peace.

Meir Dizengoff, the founder of Tel Aviv, was once asked how does one become the Mayor of a city in Israel. He replied, “First, you build the city.” Well, the life of Shimon Peres suggests that one way to become President of the State of Israel is that, first, you build the State of Israel.

Mr. President, you helped bring Israel into being. As Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, you helped Israel grow strong, thrive, defend herself, and move toward peace. You helped forge the enduring peace treaty with Jordan and helped make historic breakthroughs with the Palestinians that still point our way ahead. And as President, you are using an amazing life’s wisdom to secure your country’s future and raise our sights toward a day when all this region’s children can live in the peace and security they so deserve.

By my count, President Peres has worked closely with 10 American Presidents, from Kennedy to Obama. So your life tracks the life of the very special relationship between our two countries. The United States and Israel share a deep and abiding friendship and an unbreakable bond, rooted in common interests and common values. We meet today at a moment of great global change, but we again affirm an essential truth that will never change: the United States of America remains fully and firmly committed to the peace and security of the State of Israel.  That commitment spans generations and political parties.  It is not negotiable. And it will never be negotiable... (full text)