John Kerry and Israel -- The Record (source: NJDC)

June 18, 2004
John Kerry and Israel -- The Record

Leadership in the Senate:
** Fact: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has
made note of "Kerry's 100 percent pro-Israel voting record in the
Senate" (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, May 18, 2004). John Kerry has
a perfect, unblemished 20-year voting record on Israel in the
United States Senate -- including some 60 pro-Israel votes and
signatures on key congressional letters. He took a leadership
role in cosponsoring many of these efforts, dating back to his
co-sponsorship of a 1987 resolution disapproving missile sales to
Saudi Arabia.

Israel's Security Fence:
** Fact: John Kerry has strongly supported Israel's right to
build a security fence. During a debate in February, he described
the fence as "a fence necessary to the security of Israel until
they have a partner to be able to negotiate" (New York Times
transcript, February 29, 2004). He has stated his support for the
security fence repeatedly in public forums, including during an
April speech before newspaper editors when he again said, "I
support the building of the security fence" (Speech before the
American Society of Newspaper Editors, April 23, 2004).

"We Should Never Pressure Israel:"
** Fact: John Kerry has repeatedly and clearly stated that a
Kerry Administration will never force Israel to take steps that
compromise her security: "And I want you to know that, as
president, my promise to the people of Israel is this: I will
never force Israel to make concessions that cost or compromise
any of Israel's security. The security of Israel is paramount.
And we [are] an ally and we are a friend and we have a special
relationship, and we must remember that. We will also never
expect Israel to negotiate peace without a credible partner"
(Speech before the Anti-Defamation League, adl.org, May 3, 2004).
He had previously noted in a statement, "Our commitment must be
clear: We should never pressure Israel to compromise its
security; never coerce it to negotiate for peace without a
credible partner; and always work to provide the political and
military support for Israel's fight against terror" (Statement by
John Kerry, April 27, 2004).

No Palestinian Right of Return:
** Fact: John Kerry has clearly noted his opposition to any
Palestinian "right of return" to Israel: "Now I think what the
President did in the last few days is to recognize a reality that
even President Clinton came to: if you're going to have a Jewish
state, and that is what we are committed to do and that is what
Israel is, you cannot have a right of return that's open ended --
you just can't do it. It's always been a non-starter. I
personally said that at a speech I gave to the Arab community in
New York at the World Economic Forum. I've said that. I've also
said that it is realistic because we know that at Taba they
negotiated the annexation of certain territory. So it's really
stating a reality" (NBC's "Meet the Press," April 18, 2004).

Taking On Saudi Leaders:
** Fact: John Kerry has strongly criticized our unwillingness to
condemn the Saudis for their failure to fight terrorism.
According to CBS News, he has vowed to "end a 'sweetheart
relationship' that allows money to flow through Arab countries to
terrorist groups and criticized President Bush over a report that
he had struck a deal with Saudi officials to lower gasoline
prices before the election. ...'I have a 100 percent record ...
of supporting the special relationship and friendship that we
have with Israel,' Kerry said. 'I can guarantee you that as
president, I understand not just how we do that but also how we
end this sweetheart relationship with a bunch of Arab countries
that still allows money to move to Hamas, Hezballah and the Al
Aqsa Brigade'" (CBSNews.com, April 18, 2004).

Targeting Hamas Leadership:
** Fact: John Kerry has clearly supported Israel's right to
target Hamas leadership for assassination. When asked whether he
supported Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Rantisi on NBC's
"Meet the Press," he replied: "I believe Israel has every right
in the world to respond to any act of terror against it. Hamas is
a terrorist, brutal organization. It has had years to make up its
mind to take part in a peaceful process; and they refuse to,
Arafat refuses to" (NBC's "Meet the Press," April 18, 2004).

Ruling Out Arafat:
** Fact: John Kerry has ruled out Arafat as a legitimate
negotiating partner for Israel. As he said in March, 2004, "As
far as I'm concerned he's an outlaw to the peace process. ...and
he's proved himself to be irrelevant" (Associated Press, March
10, 2004).

Condemning Saudi Anti-Semitism:
** Fact: John Kerry has blasted anti-Semitic comments emanating
from the leaders of Saudi Arabia, saying: "Saudi Arabian Crown
Prince Abdullah's outrageous anti-Semitic comments this week
blaming 'Zionists' for the terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia
raises serious questions about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's
commitment to combating terrorism. President Bush has said
nothing. As President, I will never permit this kind of attack to
go unanswered" (Statement by John Kerry, May 5, 2004).


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