Israel – Correct The Record

The Path To a Landmark Deal: How Hillary Led On Iran Sanctions

correctrecordk — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 16:47:47 +0000

This week’s announcement of a landmark deal to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is years in the making. It was during Hillary Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State that Iran was forced back to the negotiating table and its nuclear enrichment program was temporarily halted. How? Through a historic regime of crippling sanctions that Secretary Clinton personally helped negotiate.

The Republican Party, on the other hand, is attempting to undercut this historic diplomatic breakthrough at every turn. But the American people know what true strength looks like. They only need to consult Hillary Clinton’s record of efforts to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.

Hillary Clinton’s Response to Iran Agreement:

In a statement released this week, Clinton announced her support for the Iran agreement and emphasized the need to ensure its enforcement and compliance. Here are a few highlights:

“With vigorous enforcement, unyielding verification, and swift consequences for any violations, this agreement can make the United States, Israel, and our Arab partners safer.”

Hillary Clinton supports the Iranian agreement because it provides “the most effective path of all the alternatives available to the U.S. and our partners to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”

As President, Hillary Clinton would “use every tool in our arsenal to compel rigorous Iranian compliance.”

“The response to any cheating must be immediate and decisive – starting with the return of sanctions but taking no options off the table, including, if necessary, our military options.”

“Sanctions for terrorism, and other non-nuclear sanctions, must remain a key part of U.S. strategy and must be vigorously enforced.”

“The message to Iran should be loud and clear: The United States will never allow you to acquire a nuclear weapon; not just during the term of this agreement – never.”

Fighting For and Winning the Harshest Iran Sanctions in History:

As Secretary of State, Clinton built a sweeping international coalition to crack down on Iran.

“We convinced all 27 nations of the European Union to stop importing Iranian oil and all 20 major global importers of Iranian oil – including Japan, India, China, and Turkey – to make significant cuts,” Clinton said in a 2012 speech. “Iran today exports more than one million fewer barrels of crude each day than it did just last year. Iran’s currency is worth less than half of what it was last November.”

Even conservative media praised Clinton’s negotiating strength.

“Give Hillary Clinton credit for hitting a half-court shot at the buzzer,” read a 2010 Wall Street Journal editorial after a sanctions breakthrough. “Clinton surely pulled out every stop to get Russia and particularly China […] on board.”

When the historic new sanctions were put to Congress, Clinton fought tirelessly to see them passed.

Clinton “brokereda last-minute compromise with House leaders” and, according to a recent book by a team of journalists, Clinton “became the de facto chairwoman of the conference committee” to help ensure the bill’s passage.

Hillary Clinton has Long Been a Leader on the Iran Threat:

“I come to the current debate as a long-time advocate for crippling sanctions against Iran,”

Clinton has said. “In my eight years in the Senate, I supported every Iran sanctions bill that came up for a vote and I spoke out frequently about the need to confront the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions, its support for terrorism, and its hostility toward Israel.”

Hillary Clinton’s Steadfast Support of Israel:

Secretary Clinton helped avert all-out war in Gaza by negotiating a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians.

In the Senate, Hillary was “an outspoken defender of Israel and representative for American Jews,” according to CNN.

By 2008, “a number of Jewish Democrats said her record with the community was unprecedented,” according to CNN.

Hillary was an early supporter of Israel’s right to build a security barrier.

Hillary cosponsored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act in 2006 to block foreign assistance to Hamas.

Hillary cosponsored the Syrian Accountability Act to pressure Syria to halt support for terrorism in the Middle East.

For more information on Hillary Clinton’s steadfast support of Israel, please read Correct The Record’s latest research here.

Hillary Clinton vs. Rand Paul on the Issues

correctrecordk — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 05:12:02 +0000

Issue	Rand Paul	Hillary Clinton
LGBT Rights	Rand Paul said that he doesn’t “really believe” in gay rights. “Sen. Rand Paul said he doesn’t buy into the concept of gay rights because they are defined by a gay person’s lifestyle. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever used the word gay rights, because I don’t really believe in rights based on your behavior,’ the Kentucky Republican told reporters in a videotaped interview that has received little attention since it was recorded in 2013. But it’s unclear how far — and to whom — Paul extends the argument that rights cannot be defined by behavior.” [Buzzfeed, 3/31/15]	Hillary Clinton declared that “gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights” to the international community. According to Sec. Clinton’s remarks in recognition of International Human Rights Day in Geneva, Switzerland, “I want to thank Director General Tokayev and Ms. Wyden along with other ministers, ambassadors, excellencies, and UN partners. This weekend, we will celebrate Human Rights Day, the anniversary of one of the great accomplishments of the last century. […] This recognition did not occur all at once. It evolved over time. And as it did, we understood that we were honoring rights that people always had, rather than creating new or special rights for them. Like being a woman, like being a racial, religious, tribal, or ethnic minority, being LGBT does not make you less human. And that is why gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.” [Remarks in Recognition of International Human Rights Day, state.gov, 12/6/11]
Race and Civil Rights	Rand Paul believed that “good defenders of the First Amendment” should “tolerate” racial discrimination. “INTERVIEWER: But under your philosophy, it would be okay for Dr. King not to be served at the counter at Woolworths? PAUL: I would not go to that Woolworths, and I would stand up in my community and say that it is abhorrent, um, but, the hard part—and this is the hard part about believing in freedom—is, if you believe in the First Amendment, for example—you have too, for example, most good defenders of the First Amendment will believe in abhorrent groups standing up and saying awful things. . . . It’s the same way with other behaviors. In a free society, we will tolerate boorish people, who have abhorrent behavior.” [ThinkProgress, 5/19/10]	Hillary Clinton: “For anyone to assert that race is not a problem in America is to deny the reality in front of our very eyes.” “In the first presidential debate designed to focus on minority issues, the Democratic contenders aggressively sought to outmuscle one another on the topics of race and poverty and derided yesterday’s Supreme Court decision banning most affirmative action in public schools… ‘You can look at this stage and see an African American, a Latino, a woman contesting for the presidency of the United States,’ Clinton said. ‘But there is so much left to be done, and for anyone to assert that race is not a problem in America is to deny the reality in front of our very eyes.’” [Washington Post, 6/29/07]
Minimum Wage	Rand Paul opposes increasing the minimum wage. “Senators Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio oppose the president’s plan to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 from the $7.25 it’s at now. But should the federal government set a minimum wage at all? […] The line drew big applause but didn’t answer the question—which Karl tried to call him on. So should there be any minimum wage? Paul said, ‘Minimum wage is only harmful when it’s above the market wage.’” [Bloomberg, 1/26/15]	Hillary Clinton cosponsored the Fair Minimum Wage Act five times in the Senate. Hillary Clinton sponsored the Fair Minimum Wage Act five times in the Senate. Although she opposed the Iraq funding bill it was folded into, Clinton cosponsored the original version of the Fair Minimum Wage Act that increased the minimum wage for the first time in ten years, from $5.85 to $7.25 an hour. [S. 277, 2/7/01; S. 20, 1/7/03; S. 2370, 4/20/04; S. 1062, 5/18/05; S. 2, 1/4/07]
Climate Change	Rand Paul claimed that the science behind climate change was “not conclusive.” “Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said in a recent interview that the science behind climate change is ‘not conclusive,’ calling people who tie extreme weather to a changing climate ignorant.” [The Hill, 4/23/14]	Hillary Clinton called climate change the “most consequential, urgent, sweeping collection of challenges we face as a nation and world.” “Climate change is the ‘most consequential, urgent, sweeping collection of challenges we face as a nation and world,’ Clinton said at the National Clean Energy Summit 7.0 in Nevada. ‘The data is unforgiving no matter what the deniers try to assert.’” [The Hill, 9/4/14]
Iran Letter	Rand Paul was one of 47 GOP senators that signed an open letter to Iranian leadership attacking a potential nuclear deal with Iran. “The letter, signed by 47 GOP senators including Paul, warned that without congressional approval, any deal between President Obama and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, could be easily reversed. ‘The next president could revoke such an executive agreement with the stroke of a pen,’ they wrote, ‘and future Congresses could modify the terms of the agreement at any time.’” [CBS News, 3/16/15]	Hillary Clinton slammed Republican Senators for undermining American leadership by sending an open letter to Iran’s leaders. In a tweet, Hillary Clinton wrote, “GOP letter to Iranian clerics undermines American leadership. No one considering running for commander-in-chief should be signing on.” [3/11/15, 3:11 p.m. EDT]
Medicare	Rand Paul introduced legislation “that would end traditional Medicare.” “A group of Senate Republicans has introduced legislation that would end traditional Medicare and sign seniors up for the same private healthcare plans received by members of Congress. The ‘Congressional Health Care for Seniors Act’ would allow seniors to choose from the array of plans currently offered to the four million federal employees and their dependents in the Federal Employee Health Benefit program, starting in 2014. It would also gradually increase the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 70 over a 20-year period. The bill was introduced Thursday by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). South Carolina Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint are co-sponsors, along with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).” [The Hill, 3/15/12]	Hillary Clinton believed that Medicare was “part of a fair deal that our country has established between working and retired Americans.” “Those of us who support Medicare believe it is part of a fair deal that our country has established between working and retired Americans. Now this Administration and the Republican Leadership want to abandon this tradition. They want to get rid of Medicare instead of making it stronger.” [Senator Clinton press release, 3/13/03 (via archive.org)]
Medicare Eligibility	Rand Paul supported raising the Medicare eligibility age to 70. “In addition to letting Medicare seniors join the same excellent health care plan enjoyed by Members of Congress and federal employees, Dr. Paul proposes raising the Medicare retirement age from 65 to 70, very gradually, over a generation.” [FreedomWorks, 3/15/12]	Hillary Clinton supported allowing Americans aged 50 to 65 to “buy into Medicare.” “We also need to allow people between 50 and 65 to buy into Medicare. Many of them retire early or many of them lose their health insurance and they’re left waiting until they can be eligible for Medicare.” [Senator Clinton speech at the Economic Club of Chicago, 4/11/06 (via archive.org)]
Employee Non-Discrimination Act	Rand Paul voted against the Employee Non-Discrimination Act. In November 2013, Paul voted against the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that would prohibit employers from “engaging in employment discrimination on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.” [S. 815, 4/25/13]	Hillary Clinton repeatedly cosponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to prevent employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. In the Senate, Hillary Clinton was an original cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2002 and 2003 to prevent employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Hillary Clinton has said it is “inconceivable to me that people who work hard and do a good job every day can still be fired because of who they love. It’s unfair, it’s un-American, and I will put a stop to it once and for all.” [S.1284, 7/31/01; S.1705, 10/2/03; Human Rights Campaign 2008 Presidential Questionnaire]
Same-Sex Marriage	Rand Paul lamented the “moral crisis that allows people to think that there would be some sort of other marriage” in addition to “traditional” marriage. “At a prayer breakfast in Washington, D.C. on Thursday morning, Rand Paul practiced pandering. The senator from Kentucky will announce that he is running for president in less than two weeks, and it seems the pressure to be all things to all people is resulting in the breakdown of his political brand, with the latest example being his newly articulated position on marriage. He conceded to the evangelical crowd, which included Dr. Jerry Johnson, CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters, that there is a ‘moral crisis in our country’ and more specifically, ‘a moral crisis that allows people to think that there would be some sort of other marriage’ in addition to heterosexual, or ‘traditional,’ marriage.” [Daily Beast, 3/28/15]	Hillary Clinton: “I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples.” Secretary Hillary Clinton: “LGBT Americans are our colleagues, our teachers, our soldiers, our friends, our loved ones, and they are full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship. That includes marriage. That’s why I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I support it personally and as a matter of policy and law.” [Human Rights Campaign, 3/18/13]
Violence Against Women Act	Rand Paul voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. “Why it matters: Ryan is one of three current members of Congress frequently mentioned as a potential 2016 presidential candidate. The other two — Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) — both voted against reauthorizing VAWA, citing a preference that such decisions be made locally.” [Washington Post, 2/28/13; Senate roll call vote 19, 2/12/13]	Hillary Clinton cosponsored the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. “Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today hailed the unanimous approval by the US Senate of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization. VAWA expired on Saturday, October 1st and the reauthorization bill will now ensure that the critical programs authorized by VAWA continue. Senator Clinton was a co-sponsor of the bill, S. 1197. ‘The Violence Against Women Act focuses resources and attention on some of the most vulnerable women in our society — women who too often suffer in silence,’ said Senator Clinton. ‘I am so pleased that by passing this bill, the Senate finally reaffirmed its commitment to helping prevent and cope with domestic abuse.’” [Senator Clinton press release, 10/5/05; S. 1197, 6/8/05]
Abortion and “Personhood”	Rand Paul sponsored an anti-abortion “personhood” bill that could outlaw forms of emergency contraceptives. “Paul, a likely Republican presidential candidate, sponsored an anti-abortion bill in 2013 that defines life as beginning at fertilization. Democrats say the so-called ‘Personhood’ measure would outlaw Plan B and other emergency contraceptives.” [CNN, 9/30/14; S. 583, 3/14/13]	Hillary Clinton derided “personhood” legislation as efforts to “outlaw common forms of birth control and ban abortions even in cases of rape or incest.” “Clinton also hit hard on raising the minimum wage, saying it’s a ‘pro-family’ issue — and offered a full-throated defense of legal abortion. ‘Women’s rights are the canary in the mine. If you don’t protect women’s rights here at home and around the world, everybody’s rights are lost,’ she said. ‘You have to ask yourself, do you want a senator who will always defend a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions and won’t ever shame or judge a woman for decisions that are complex and deeply personal, or do you want a senator who will push so-called ‘personhood’ laws that would outlaw common forms of birth control and ban abortions even in cases of rape or incest?’” [The Hill, 10/25/14]
Unemployment Insurance	Rand Paul opposed extending unemployment insurance for out-of-work Americans. “Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Sunday he opposes extending unemployment benefits for workers, arguing that it would be a ‘disservice’ to jobless individuals. ‘I do support unemployment benefits for the 26 weeks that they’re paid for. If you extend it beyond that, you do a disservice to these workers,’ he said in an interview on ‘Fox News Sunday.’” [Huffington Post, 12/8/13; Senate roll call vote 24, 2/6/14]	Hillary Clinton continuously fought to extend unemployment insurance for U.S. workers. Hillary Clinton repeatedly supported legislative efforts to extend unemployment assistance for out-of-work Americans throughout her Senate career. [S. 3009, 9/26/02; S. 225, 1/28/03;S. 1708, 10/2/03; S. 2006, 1/20/04; S. 2544, 1/22/08; S. 3507, 9/17/08]
Planned Parenthood	Rand Paul voted to defund Planned Parenthood. “Rand Paul has previously voted to defund Planned Parenthood and said he would “stop the flow of tax dollars to groups who perform or advocate for abortion.” Marco Rubio joined Paul in the vote to defund the health provider, and has made no secret of his plans to further restrict access.” [Salon, 2/27/15; Senate roll call vote 60, 4/14/11]	Hillary Clinton believed that the “overarching mission of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America…is as relevant in our world now as it was 100 years ago.” “It was a great privilege when I was told that I would receive this award,” said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in accepting the award. “It’s part of a movement which is about economic and political progress for all women and girls. It’s about making sure that every woman and girl everywhere has the opportunity she deserves to fulfill her potential, the potential as a mother, worker and human being. The overarching mission of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the cause of reproductive freedom that you continue to advance today is as relevant in our world now as it was 100 years ago. So, I thank you.” [Planned Parenthood news release, 5/14/14]
Social Security	Rand Paul called Social Security “a Ponzi scheme” and supported efforts to privatize the program. “In the late 1990s, Paul — then a simple ophthalmologist and president of Kentucky Taxpayers United — appeared on several episodes ‘Kentucky Tonight,’ a roundtable-style show on public television. He talked about the elderly dying at the hands of Medicare rationing; the need to privatize Social Security, which he called ‘a Ponzi scheme;’ and the rights of the government to invest in racist companies.” [Talking Points Memo, 7/12/10]	Hillary Clinton: “When I am president, privatizing Social Security will certainly not be even discussed.” “I don’t think there’s any doubt that we’ve got to fight and finally bury the idea of privatizing Social Security. It is one of those bad ideas that deserve to be totally buried. When I am president, privatizing Social Security will certainly not be even discussed. I reject the view of President Bush and others who have given large tax cuts to the wealthiest, failed to crack down on offshore tax dodgers, and handed out no-bid contracts to companies like Halliburton, and then insisted that we needed to cut benefits to middle-class retirees.” [Senator Clinton speech on Retirement Security, 10/9/07 (via archive.org)]
Social Security Retirement Age	Rand Paul sought to raise the Social Security retirement age. “During my time in Congress, I have worked on proposals that would fully fix the shortfall in the Social Security program through a gradual increase in the age of full retirement and by means testing yearly earnings, while preserving those benefits for near and current retirees. These changes would only apply to younger Americans who have time to plan for the future.” [Office of Senator Rand Paul, accessed 11/19/14]	Hillary Clinton: “Raising the retirement age isn’t the answer” to preserving Social Security. “Let me start with calling for a renewed national commitment to Social Security, this is the most successful domestic program in the history of the United States. And you don’t have to worry, when I’m president, privatization is off the table, because it does not answer anything. From my perspective cutting benefits is not the answer, raising the retirement age isn’t the answer, we need to get back to the fiscal responsibilities that we had in the 1990s where we weren’t raiding the social security trust fund anymore. When my husband left office, we had a secure Social Security system until 2055, and now all of the sudden the Bush administration took us back into deficits we lost 14 years off the solvency of the Social Security trust fund in the last six and a half years.” [NBC News, 9/4/07]
Gun Control	Rand Paul opposed any legislation enacting new restrictions in gun ownership. According to a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, signed by Sens. Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Ted Cruz, “The Second Amendment to the Constitution protects citizens’ right to self-defense. It speaks to history’s lesson that government cannot in in all places at all times, and history’s warning about the oppression of a government that tries. We will oppose the motion to proceed to any legislation that will serve as a vehicle for any additional gun restrictions.” [United States Senate Letter – Signed by Sen. Rand Paul, 3/22/13]	Hillary Clinton voted to extend the Assault Weapons ban and cosponsored legislation to require background checks at gun shows. Sen. Clinton voted for a ten-year extension of the ban on assault weapons. Senator Clinton cosponsored legislation requiring background checks for firearms purchases at gun shows and from unlicensed dealers. “Senator Clinton is an original co-sponsor of legislation introduced by Senator Jack Reed, to require criminal background checks on individuals who purchase firearms at gun shows from unlicensed dealers. Currently, unlicensed dealers at gun shows are able to skirt the background checks that are required of licensed gun dealers under the Brady Law. This law — which requires licensed gun dealers to conduct background checks of potential purchasers in order to prevent felons, fugitives and stalkers from buying firearms — has resulted in approximately 536,000 criminals or other prohibited purchasers being denied access to firearms.” [Senator Clinton press release, 4/24/01 (via archive.org); S. 767, 4/24/01; Senate roll call vote 24, 3/2/04]
Universal Health Insurance Coverage	Rand Paul compared the “right to health care” to slavery. “A hearing of the Senate HELP Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging looked at emergency room use and took an odd turn Wednesday when Sen. Rand Paul compared the ‘right to health care’ to slavery. ‘With regard to the idea whether or not you have a right to health care you have to realize what that implies. I am a physician. You have a right to come to my house and conscript me. It means you believe in slavery. You are going to enslave not only me but the janitor at my hospital, the person who cleans my office, the assistants, the nurses. … You are basically saying you believe in slavery,’ said Paul (R-Ky.), who is an ophthalmologist.” [Politico, 5/11/11]	Hillary Clinton was “committed to providing quality affordable health care for every American.” “I remain committed to providing quality affordable health care for every American. Now, some people might say, well, Senator, didn’t you try that before, you know, back in 1993 and 1994? And I did. I worked at my husband’s request to try to see if we could do what was necessary to create a system that everybody could be part of. And we were not successful, and we made a bunch of mistakes, and I’ve learned from all of that. And I have the scars to show what we went through.” [Senator Clinton campaign Let the Conversation Begin webcast, 1/22/07 (via archive.org)]
Net Neutrality	Rand Paul opposes net neutrality. “No Republican presidential contender has done more at this stage to woo Silicon Valley and the tech community than Rand Paul has. […] But besides his party label, there’s one problem with Paul’s message when it comes to winning over this traditionally Democratic-leaning community – he opposes net neutrality.” [NBC News, 4/6/15]	Hillary Clinton cosponsored legislation to protect net neutrality. Hillary Clinton repeatedly cosponsored the Internet Freedom Preservation Act, legislation that she stated would “ensure that open, unimpaired and unencumbered Internet access for both its users and content providers is preserved.” In a statement released announcing her support of the 2006 version of the bill, Hillary Clinton affirmed that efforts “to fundamentally alter the inherently democratic structure of the Internet must be rejected.” [S. 2917, 5/19/06; S. 215, 1/9/07]
Foreign Policy	Rand Paul promoted “an isolationist foreign policy that some in his own party have criticized.” “At each event, Paul shared his vision for the country, which includes an isolationist foreign policy that some in his own party have criticized. Paul says government’s reach needs to be scaled back domestically as well, and was quick to slam President Barack Obama on the country’s current hot topic — immigration.” [NBC News, 8/5/14]	Hillary Clinton supported a foreign policy of “reaching out to both friends and adversaries, to bolster old alliances and to forge new ones.” “Smart power requires reaching out to both friends and adversaries, to bolster old alliances and to forge new ones. That means strengthening the alliances that have stood the test of time— especially with our NATO partners and our allies in Asia. Our alliance with Japan is a cornerstone of American policy in Asia, essential to maintaining peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, and based on shared values and mutual interests. We also have crucial economic and security partnerships with South Korea, Australia, and other friends in ASEAN. We will build on our economic and political partnership with India, the world’s most populous democracy and a nation with growing influence in the world.” [Nomination Hearing to be Secretary of State, state.gov, 1/13/09]
Foreign Aid	Rand Paul proposed a budget to cut all United States foreign aid. “I go to a tea party, and you know what they say to me? ‘It’s not enough. It’s not enough. Where’s the other trillion you need?’ Paul said. He’s offered his own budget plan that would cut spending by $500 billion this year, including an end to all foreign aid and a dramatic reduction to the U.S. Department of Education’s budget.” [Politico, 2/4/11]	Hillary Clinton: “Americans should take pride” in our contributions to international development, “which have not only helped humanity but have also helped our nation project our values and strengthen our leadership in the world.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “In the international development business, it’s easy to get frustrated and fatalistic. But step back and look at the sweep of history, and you realize just how remarkable our country’s contributions have been. Just in my lifetime the United States has helped eradicate smallpox and reduce polio and malaria. We helped save millions of lives through immunizations, life-saving treatment for AIDS, and oral rehydration therapy that greatly reduced the deaths of infants and children. We helped educate millions of young people and provided significant support to once impoverished countries that have flourished and become generous donors themselves, such as South Korea. Americans should take pride in these achievements, which have not only helped humanity but have also helped our nation project our values and strengthen our leadership in the world.” [Hard Choices, pg. 544, 2014]
Aid to Israel	Rand Paul said he would support ending all foreign aid to Israel. According to a transcript of an interview with Rand Paul on CNN, “PAUL: Well, I think what you have to do is you have to look. When you send foreign aid, you actually quite a bit to Israel’s enemies, Islamic nations around Israel get quite a bit of foreign aid, too. BLITZER: Egypt gets almost the same amount? PAUL: Almost the same amount so really you have to ask yourself, are we funding an arms race on both sides? I have a lot of sympathy and respect for Israel as a democratic nation, as a, you know, a fountain of piece and a fountain of democracy within the Middle East. But at the same time, I don’t think funding both sides of the arm race, particularly when we have to borrow the money from China to send it to someone else. We just can’t do it anymore. The debt is all consuming and it threatens our well being as a country. BLITZER: All right, so just to be precise, end all foreign aid including the foreign aid to Israel as well. Is that right? PAUL: Yes.” [CNN, 1/26/11]	Upon taking office, Hillary Clinton and Pres. Obama immediately “got to work expanding security cooperation and investing in key joint defense projects” in Israel, “including Iron Dome.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “For years, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, the United States had been committed to helping Israel maintain a ‘qualitative military edge’ over every competitor in the region. President Obama and I wanted to take it to the next level. Right away, we got to work expanding security cooperation and investing in key joint defense projects, including Iron Dome, a short-range missile defense system to help protect Israeli cities and homes from rockets.” [Hard Choices, pg. 306, 2014]
Card Check/EFCA	Rand Paul opposed Card Check legislation. “After spending an estimated $1 BILLION to re-elect Barack Obama and maintain control of the U.S. Senate, the union bosses expect PAYBACK. And they’re wasting no time demanding passage of the Card Check Forced Unionism Bill as payback. If ‘Card Check’ passes, it will strip workers of the secret ballot so union thugs can intimidate workers one-on-one — or three-on-one — into signing so-called ‘union authorization cards.’ That’s why it’s vital you sign the petition below DEMANDING your Congressman and Senators OPPOSE Big Labor’s Card Check Forced Unionism Bill.” [National Right to Work Committee – Letter from Sen. Rand Paul, accessed 9/25/14]	Hillary Clinton pledged to “be the president who signs the Employee Free Choice Act” and cosponsored the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. “Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today joined thousands of workers in calling for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. The bill, cosponsored by Senator Clinton, will strengthen workers’ right to organize. […] The Employee Free Choice Act would level the playing field between workers and employers by: Permitting workers to form a union through ‘majority sign-up,’ a process in which workers present signed authorization cards as demonstration of their choice to belong to a union; Requiring mediation and arbitration to help employers and employees reach a first contract in a reasonable period of time; and Strengthening penalties against employers who violate the labor laws.” [Democratic presidential debate, 8/7/07; Senator Clinton campaign press release, 6/19/07 (via archive.org); S.1041, 3/29/07]
Hobby Lobby	Rand Paul said that the hobby lobby decision was “in favor of religious freedom” and that it meant “all Americans can stay true to their faith without fear of big government intervention or punishment.” According to a press release from the office of Senator Rand Paul, “‘Today, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of religious freedom by taking a stand with Hobby Lobby. Religious liberty will remain intact and all Americans can stay true to their faith without fear of big government intervention or punishment,’ Sen. Paul said. ‘Our nation was founded on the principle of freedom, and with this decision, America will continue to serve as a safe haven for those looking to exercise religious liberty.’” [Press Release, Office of Senator Rand Paul, 6/30/14 (via archive.org)]	Hillary Clinton said the Hobby Lobby decision was “troubling.” “Hard-working women will pay the price for today’s two troubling #SCOTUS decisions — in wages, health care & dignity.” [6/30/14, 6:34 p.m. EDT]
Loretta Lynch	Rand Paul opposes Loretta Lynch’s nomination for Attorney General. “Sen. Rand Paul is opposing Loretta Lynch’s nomination for attorney general, saying her support for President Barack Obama’s immigration actions ‘rides roughshod on our Constitutional rights.’ The Kentucky Republican becomes the second of his party’s 2016 presidential contenders to publicly oppose Lynch’s confirmation as Eric Holder’s replacement as head of the Justice Department, joining Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.” [CNN, 2/5/15]	Sec. Clinton called Loretta Lynch a “great nominee” and condemned the blocking of her confirmation vote. “Partisan tensions rose in the days after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told CNN he would not schedule a vote for Lynch until an otherwise bipartisan human trafficking bill — stalled over an abortion provision opposed by most Democrats — passes the chamber. […] Even likely Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton weighed in, saying in a pair of tweets: ‘Congressional trifecta against women today: 1) Blocking great nominee, 1st African American woman AG, for longer than any AG in 30 years……2) Playing politics with trafficking victims… 3) Threatening women’s health & rights.’” [CNN, 3/17/15]

Hillary Clinton on Israel

correctrecordk — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 21:35:31 +0000

HILLARY CLINTON’S STEADFAST SUPPORT OF ISRAEL

KEY POINTS:

Hillary Clinton has been a staunch supporter of Israel for her entire career.

In her book, Hard Choices, she wrote about her work with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Secretary of State saying, “Despite our policy differences, Netanyahu and I worked together as partners and friends… But even when we disagreed, we maintained an unshakable commitment to the alliance between our countries.”

Hillary Clinton has forcefully rejected Iran’s push for nuclear weapons.

As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton built and maintained a coalition to enact the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history.
- She has said that “no option can be off the table” and that “we need to use every tool at our disposal” to halt Iran’s push for nuclear weapons.
- Hillary said that “an attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation from the United States.”

Secretary Clinton helped avert all-out war in Gaza by negotiating a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians.

In the Senate, Hillary was “an outspoken defender of Israel and representative for American Jews,” according to CNN.
- By 2008, “a number of Jewish Democrats said her record with the community was unprecedented,” according to CNN.
- Hillary was an early supporter of Israel’s right to build a security barrier.
- Hillary joined Palestinian Media Watch in exposing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic biases in Palestinian schools.
- Hillary introduced legislation calling for the immediate release of Israeli soldiers held by Hamas and Hezbollah.
- Hillary cosponsored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act in 2006 to block foreign assistance to Hamas.
- Hillary cosponsored the Syrian Accountability Act to pressure Syria to halt support for terrorism in the Middle East.

Hillary’s Steadfast Support of Israel

correctrecordk — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:14:39 +0000

Hillary Clinton’s “unprecedented” record of support for Israel encompasses unfaltering support of Israel’s right to defend itself, forceful rejection of Iran’s push for nuclear weapons, and dedicated leadership in fighting for Israel on human rights issues. As Secretary of State, Hillary’s determination to halt Iran’s march towards nuclear armament persevered. Since leaving the State Department, Hillary’s long-lasting bond with the Jewish community has continued.

“Welcome, Hillary. You are a great friend and a great champion of peace.”
-Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, 10/13/09

Unwavering Support

Sec. Clinton: “We are steadfast in our commitment to Israel’s security, which is a cornerstone of our foreign policy in the Middle East.” “Israel and the United States are united by a deep and unbreakable bond based on mutual interests and respect. Our relationship grows stronger every day as we work to promote regional security, create new economic partnerships, increase two-way trade and broaden our energy cooperation. We are steadfast in our commitment to Israel’s security, which is a cornerstone of our foreign policy in the Middle East.” [Clinton statement, 4/25/12]

Sec. Clinton: “This relationship is deepening every day.” “Sixty-three years ago the United States was the first country to recognize Israel’s independence, and that spirit of kinship continues to guide us today. Our two countries are united by a deep, unshakable friendship and bond. We are bound together by our shared values and history pursuing freedom, equality and democracy. And this relationship is deepening every day. Whether it’s our security partnerships or the expanding economic and trade collaborations – our work together is securing a brighter future for all our people.” [Clinton statement, 5/8/11]

Sec. Clinton condemned the Human Rights Council’s “structural bias against Israel.” According to Sec. Clinton’s remarks at the Human Rights Council, “And I must add, the structural bias against Israel – including a standing agenda item for Israel, whereas all other countries are treated under a common item – is wrong. And it undermines the important work we are trying to do together. As member states, we can take this Council in a better, stronger direction.” [Sec. Clinton’s Remarks at the Human Rights Council, 2/28/11]

Sec. Clinton: U.S. and Israel had almost daily coordination on security issues. According to the New York Times, “Her visit, which capped a grueling 13-day, nine-country tour, was part of a parade of top United States officials through the Israeli capital this month intended to underline what Mrs. Clinton described as ‘almost daily’ coordination on security issues between the countries. Coming on the heels of her meeting with the new Islamist president of Egypt, and amid what she repeatedly called ‘unprecedented change’ in the Middle East, many of the meetings focused on Egypt’s precarious treaty with Israel as well as Iran’s nuclear program.” [New York Times, 7/16/12]

Sec. Clinton urged an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, saying “‘the status quo is unsustainable.’” According to the New York Times, “Visiting Israel for the first time in nearly two years, with the Palestinian peace process seemingly on perpetual hold, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that “the status quo is unsustainable” and urged leaders from both sides back to negotiations.” [New York Times, 7/16/12]

Post-State Department

Since leaving State, Hillary has been “well-received” by a number of Jewish groups. “Since leaving the State Department, Clinton has appeared at a number of fundraiser for Jewish groups where she has been well-received. In October 2013, Clinton was the keynote speaker at the $5,000-a-plate Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago Vanguard fundraising luncheon. In January 2014, Clinton was one of a few speakers at the memorial service for Samuel Bronfman, a longtime Clinton supporter and stalwart in the Jewish community. A Jewish leader in New York who attended the event told CNN that speaking at the memorial was a ‘huge coup’ for Clinton because ‘everyone who is anyone in the Jewish community will be there.’” [CNN, 3/18/14]

Hillary Clinton attended the 2014 Saban Forum and addressed the U.S.-Israeli relationship. “In a discussion with Saban Forum Chairman Haim Saban before an audience of Americans and Israelis, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton championed the Obama administration’s efforts to advance a nuclear deal with Iran, and downplayed reports of frictions between the American and Israeli leaderships as the healthy consequence of ‘two raucous democracies.’ […] The former secretary of state also addressed the U.S.-Israeli relationship — the central focus for the forum — detailing the cooperation between the two governments and arguing that ‘nobody can argue with the commitment of this administration to Israel’s security.’” [Saban Forum 2014, Brookings Institution, 12/7/14]

Hillary Clinton addressed the pro-Israel American Jewish Committee. In 2014, Hillary Clinton addressed the closing plenary of the AJC Global Forum. “Clinton detailed her diplomatic work to slow Iran’s nuclear development and her attempts to lay the groundwork for peace in the Middle East. ‘When I left as secretary and passed the baton on to Secretary Kerry, we were positioned to really explore whether we had set the table well enough to see changes that were sufficient to meet our legitimate objections to Iran’s behavior and its future plans,’ Clinton said, referring to her successor, John F. Kerry.” [AJC, 5/16/14; Washington Post, 5/14/14]

Hillary was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award by the American Jewish Congress. “Clinton will have a chance to tout her bona fides with Jewish-Americans on Wednesday when she is honored by Jack Rosen, the head of American Jewish Congress, at an event in New York City.” Hillary Clinton received the American Jewish Congress’s “Stephen S. Wise Award for Lifetime Achievement.” [CNN, 3/18/14; AJC website, accessed 3/18/14]

As Secretary of State

Tough on Iran

Secretary Clinton built and maintained a coalition to enact the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history. Secretary Clinton helped impose the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history by getting Russia and China on board. Even the Wall Street Journal editorial board noted that, “Clinton surely pulled out every stop to get Russia and particularly China…on board.” And as Howard Dean recently told CNN, “Hillary Clinton cranked up the sanctions for the first time under President Obama that actually made the Iranians come to the table.”

Sec. Clinton: Iran left the world “no recourse but to apply penalties aimed at curbing a fast-track nuclear program.” According to CBS News, “Iran leaves the world no recourse but to apply penalties aimed at curbing a fast-track nuclear program, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday. In London ostensibly for conferences on Afghanistan and Yemen, Clinton has devoted significant time to Iran ahead of a U.S.-led sanctions push at the United Nations expected by the end of the week. … U.S. officials are preparing to circulate an outline of tough new Iran sanctions at the U.N. The proposed measures would target elements of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps with new measures and would target the financial and energy sectors under existing sanctions resolutions, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because discussions were ongoing.” [CBS News, 1/29/10]

Sec. Clinton: Sanctions were diplomacy and “we need that kind of international front against Iran.” According to Sec. Clinton’s Remarks on Nuclear Nonproliferation at the University of Louisville, “So people – a lot of my counterparts around the world say, ‘Well, we don’t – want to try to solve this diplomatically.’ Well, sanctions, using the United Nations Security Council, is diplomacy and it’s international diplomacy. And we need that kind of international front against Iran, and that’s what we’re attempting to put together in the Security Council.” [Sec. Clinton’s Remarks on Nuclear Nonproliferation at the University of Louisville, 4/9/10]

Sec. Clinton: The new START treaty could play a role in persuading other nations to support serious sanctions against Iran. According to Sec. Clinton’s remarks on nuclear nonproliferation at the University of Louisville, “Now, I’m not suggesting that a move by the United States and Russia to reduce our nuclear stockpiles will convince Iran or North Korea to change their behavior. But ask yourselves, can our efforts help to bring not only the new START treaty into force, but by doing so help persuade other nations to support serious sanctions against Iran? I believe they could. And since I’m on the phone or in meetings constantly with heads of state or government, foreign ministers and others, making the case that they must join us in these strong sanctions against Iran, I know from firsthand experience that this START treaty has left little room for some nations to hide. They are finding it more and more difficult to make the case that they don’t have their own responsibilities.” [Sec. Clinton’s Remarks on Nuclear Nonproliferation at the University of Louisville, 4/9/10]

Netanyahu: Our common effort was making “sure that Iran not achieve its ambition of developing nuclear weapons.” According to the LA Times, “Iran says its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only. U.S. officials disagree, but believe there is still time for diplomacy and worry that a unilateral Israeli attack would spark a regional war. In recent weeks, Israeli officials have softened their rhetoric about attacking Iran, though they insist that the option remains on the table. In remarks before his meeting with Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of ‘our common effort to make sure that Iran not achieve its ambition of developing nuclear weapons.’” [LA Times, 7/16/12]

Sec. Clinton: U.S. and Israel were “on the same page at this moment” on how to deal with Iran. According to the LA Times, “Wrapping up a whirlwind trip to Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that the U.S. and Israel are ‘on the same page at this moment’ in terms of how to deal with Iran and vowed to use ‘all elements of American power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.’” [LA Times, 7/16/12]

Platt: Sec. Clinton “made it clear that U.S. policy ‘is one of prevention, not containment’…America is on record declaring that it cannot live with nuclear Iran.” According an op-ed by Lilli Platt, director of the American Jewish Committee, Long Island, “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, for her part, has made it clear that U.S. policy ‘is one of prevention, not containment’ – that is, America is on record declaring that it cannot live with a nuclear Iran. Clinton has sent Iran a warning that it better mean business this time. ‘We enter into these talks with a sober perspective about Iran’s intentions,’ she said. ‘It is incumbent upon Iran to demonstrate by its actions that it is a willing partner and to participate in these negotiations with an effort to obtain concrete results.’” [Lilli Platt op-ed, Newsday, 4/10/12]

Gaza

Secretary Clinton helped avert all-out war in Gaza by negotiating a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians. In November 2012, after eight days of violence, Secretary Clinton negotiated a Gaza cease-fire with Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi. In an article titled “Hillary Clinton scores Gaza cease fire success,” Politico noted that, “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton got a Gaza cease-fire right at the moment hope seemed dead for a rapid end to the violence…” [Politico, 11/21/12]

Nolan: “Clinton scored another diplomatic victory” working with Israel, President Morsi to end fighting with Hamas. According to a Robert Nolan op-ed for US News, “Clinton scored another diplomatic victory in her recent trip to the Middle East, where she worked with Israeli leaders and Egypt’s new President Mohamed Morsi to put an end to a week of fighting between Hamas and Israel.” [Robert Nolan, US News, 12/13/12]

As a Senator

Inspired by the Israeli People

Sec. Clinton: I will not forget “the Israeli victims of terrorism I met over the years.” In her book Hard Chocies, Secretary Clinton wrote, “Nor will I forget the Israeli victims of terrorism I met over the years. I’ve held their hands in hospital rooms and listened to doctors describe how much shrapnel was left in a leg, arm, or head. I visited a bombed-out pizzeria in Jerusalem in February 2002 during some of the darkest days of the second intifada, in which a few thousand Palestinians and about a thousand Israelis were killed between 2000 and 2005. And I’ve walked along the security fence near Gilo and talked to families who knew a rocket could fall on their home at any moment. These experiences will always be with me.” [Hard Choices, pg. 303, 2014]

Sec. Clinton: Israel’s story is “the story of all people who struggle for freedom and the right to chart their own destinies.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “I am not alone in feeling so personally invested in Israel’s security and success. Many Americans admire Israel as a homeland for a people long oppressed and a democracy that has had to defend itself at every turn. In Israel’s story we see our own, and the story of all people who struggle for freedom and the right to chart their own destinies. That’s why President Harry Truman waited only eleven minutes to recognize the new nation of Israel in 1948. Israel is more than a country – it’s a dream nurtured for generations and made real by men and women who refused to bow to the toughest of odds. It’s also a thriving economy that’s a model for how innovation, entrepreneurship, and democracy can deliver prosperity even in unforgiving circumstances.” [Hard Choices, pg. 304, 2014]

Magen David Adom

A young Israeli medic inspired Sec. Clinton to begin a successful campaign “to convince the International Red Cross to admit MDA as a full voting member.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “Here’s just one story of an Israeli who touched my life. In 2002, I met Yochai Porat. He was only twenty-six but already a senior medic with MDA, Israel’s emergency medical service. He oversaw a program to train foreign volunteers as first responders in Israel. I attended the program’s graduation ceremonies and remember the pride in his face as yet another group of young people set off to save lives. Yochai was also a reservist with the Israel Defense Forces. A week after we met, he was killed by a sniper near a roadblock, along with other soldiers and civilians. MDA renamed its overseas volunteer program in his memory. When I visited again in 2005, I met with Yochai’s family, who spoke passionately about how important it was to continue supporting the MDA and its mission. I went home and began a campaign to convince the International Red Cross to admit MDA as a full voting member after half a century of exclusion. In 2006, they agreed.” [Hard Choices, pg. 303, 2014]

Hillary led the fight to force the re-admittance of Magen David Adom to the International Red Cross. “Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) has gained an important ally in her efforts on behalf of Israel’s Magen David Adom. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), whose husband challenged Clinton’s husband for president, signed onto Clinton’s amendment to force the acceptance of MDA into the International Committee of the Red Cross. Dole was formerly director of the American Red Cross. Her husband, Sen. Bob Dole, lost the 1996 presidential race to Bill Clinton. Clinton’s amendment to the Omnibus Spending Bill, also sponsored by Illinois Republican Pete Fitzgerald, calls for withholding the American Red Cross contribution to the ICRC until Magen David is permitted to join without changing its Star of David emblem. ‘I have seen firsthand the work done by Magen David Adom in disaster assistance worldwide,’ said Clinton. ‘I personally will not rest until it is allowed into the ICRC.’ The Senate passed the amendment Jan. 23.” [The Jewish Week, 2/7/03]

Outspoken Defender

Hillary was an “outspoken defender of Israel” in the Senate. “Clinton was an outspoken defender of Israel and representative for American Jews for eight years in the Senate. But it wasn’t always that way. She had to work hard for Jewish support in 2000 as the New York Jewish community was skeptical of her support for Israel and publicly wondered whether the former first lady was too sympathetic with the Palestinians. But by the time she ran for president in 2008, a number of Jewish Democrats said her record with the community was unprecedented. Touting her foreign policy credentials and defense of Israel, Jewish leaders flocked to Clinton as she ran against Barack Obama in the Democratic primaries.” [CNN, 3/18/14]

As a presidential candidate, Hillary’s strong record on supporting Israel was touted by some as “unprecedented.” “[B]y the time she ran for president in 2008, a number of Jewish Democrats said her record with the community was unprecedented.” [CNN, 3/18/14]

Hillary was an early supporter of Israel’s right to build a security barrier. “[Hillary Clinton] has moved to solidify her position by becoming an early supporter of the Israel separation barrier.” [New York Times, 11/13/05]

Hillary joined Palestinian Media Watch in exposing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic biases in Palestinian schools. “It is my privilege once again to join Palestinian Media Watch for this press conference, and for the latest report that they have compiled about the Palestinian textbooks. Director Itamar Marcus, who has been a steadfast leader, has helped to deliver this message which we repeat again today – we must stop the propaganda to which Palestinian children are being exposed. That must be a priority for all people who care about children, who care about the kind of peace, stability, safety and security that Israel deserves to be guaranteed. And it should be a priority for everyone who cares about the future of the Palestinian people.” [Palestinian Media Watch, 2/8/07]

Hillary introduced legislation calling for the immediate release of Israeli soldiers held by Hamas and Hezbollah. [S. Res. 92, 3/1/07, Thomas.gov]

Hillary co-sponsored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act in 2006 to block foreign assistance to Hamas. [S. 2370, 3/6/06, Thomas.gov]

Hillary co-sponsored the Syrian Accountability Act to pressure Syria to halt support for terrorism in the Middle East. [S. 982, 5/1/03, Thomas.gov]

Tough on Iran

During 2008 campaign, Hillary said that as president she would not meet with Ahmadinejad. “And I think that this is an opportunity, with skillful diplomacy, for the United States to go to the region and enlist the region in a security agreement vis-a-vis Iran. It would give us three tools we don’t now have. Number one, we’ve got to begin diplomatic engagement with Iran, and we want the region and the world to understand how serious we are about it. And I would begin those discussions at a low level. I certainly would not meet with Ahmadinejad, because even again today he made light of 9/11 and said he’s not even sure it happened and that people actually died. He’s not someone who would have an opportunity to meet with me in the White House. But I would have a diplomatic process that would engage him.” [Democratic Presidential Debate, 4/16/08 C-SPAN]

Hillary said “no option can be taken off the table” to halt Iran’s push for nuclear weapons. “Calling Iran a danger to the U.S. and one of Israel’s greatest threats, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that ‘no option can be taken off the table’ when dealing with that nation. ‘U.S. policy must be clear and unequivocal: We cannot, we should not, we must not permit Iran to build or acquire nuclear weapons,’ Clinton told a crowd of Israel supporters. ‘In dealing with this threat … no option can be taken off the table.’” [FOX News, 2/2/07]

Hillary: “I would make it clear to the Iranians that an attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation.” Hillary Clinton: “I think that we should be looking to create an umbrella of deterrence that goes much further than just Israel. Of course I would make it clear to the Iranians that an attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation from the United States, but I would do the same with other countries in the region.” [Democratic Presidential Debate, 4/16/08, C-SPAN]

Hillary has consistently supported using every available U.S. tool to combat Iran’s ambition for nuclear weapons. “Clinton, the front-runner for her party’s presidential nomination, called for dialogue with foes of the United States, saying Iran ‘uses its influence and its revenues in the region to support terrorist elements.’ ‘We need to use every tool at our disposal, including diplomatic and economic in addition to the threat and use of military force,’ she said.” [FOX News, 2/2/07]

Hillary has sharply criticized Iranian leaders’ anti-Semitism. “Clinton, D-N.Y., spoke at a Manhattan dinner held by the nation’s largest pro-Israel lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Some 1,700 supporters applauded as she cited her efforts on behalf of the Jewish state and spoke scathingly of Iran’s decision to hold a conference last month that questioned whether the Holocaust took place. ‘To deny the Holocaust places Iran’s leadership in company with the most despicable bigots and historical revisionists,’ Clinton said, criticizing what she called the Iranian administration’s ‘pro-terrorist, anti-American, anti-Israeli rhetoric.’” [FOX News, 2/2/07]

A Lifetime of Service

Hillary introduced Israeli education program HIPPY to Arkansas where its US headquarters remain today. As U.S. News & World Report noted, Hillary Clinton “helped establish the first HIPPY program in Arkansas three years before HIPPY USA was formally organized,” which expanded early childhood education to economically disadvantaged families. As ABC News reported, “[HIPPY] was originally started by Dr. Avima Lombard in 1969, an Israeli doctor who wanted to help immigrants and their children adjust to live in new countries. But Clinton read Lombard’s story, and saw the potential for the program in Arkansas. ‘I finally tracked her [Lombard] down at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and got her on the phone,’ Clinton said. ‘You can imagine her surprise when I told her I was calling from Little Rock.’ What started as an awkward phone conversation where Clinton had to explain that Arkansas was one of the states ‘on top of Texas’ resulted in a partnership that cultivated the HIPPY program’s largest statewide network. Now the program operates in 21 states serving 15,000 families, and Clinton is still giving it a hefty endorsement as a way to improve academic readiness and performance.” [US News, 4/29/14; ABC News, 4/29/14; hippyusa.org]

Sec. Clinton’s first trip to Israel in 1981 inspired a deep admiration for “the talent and tenacity of the Israeli people.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “I visited Israel for the first time in December 1981 on a church trip to the Holy Land with Bill. While my parents babysat for Chelsea back in Little Rock, we spent more than ten days exploring the Galilee, Masada, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and the ancient streets of Jerusalem’s Old City. We prayed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians believe Jesus was buried and resurrected. We also paid our respects at some of the holiest sites for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, including the Western Wall, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Dome of the Rock. I loved Jerusalem. Even amid all the history and traditions, it was a city pulsing with life and energy. And I deeply admired the talent and tenacity of the Israeli people. They had made the desert bloom and built a thriving democracy in a region full of adversaries and autocrats.” [Hard Choices, pg. 302, 2014]

Sec. Clinton: “As First Lady I developed a close friendship with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and his wife, Leah.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “Over the next thirty years I would return to Israel again and again, making friends and getting to know and work with some of Israel’s great leaders. As First Lady I developed a close friendship with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and his wife, Leah, although I don’t think Yitzhak ever forgave me for banishing him to the cold air of the White House balcony when he wanted to smoke. (After Rabin accused me of endangering the peace process with this policy I finally relented and said, ‘Well, if it will further the effort toward peace, I will rescind the rule, but only as it applies to you!’)” [Hard Choices, pg. 303, 2014]

RIGHT-WING ATTACK: TRYING TO MISLEAD ON CLINTON, ISRAEL

correctrecordk — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 21:54:32 +0000

In a shameful display of political maneuvering today, the right wing is attacking Hillary Clinton for her support of Israel. Her support has been steadfast and unwavering. Nonetheless, the right is on the attack, even airing a paid television advertisement Monday evening.

Hillary Clinton’s record encompasses unfaltering support of Israel’s right to defend itself, forceful rejection of Iran’s push for nuclear weapons, and dedicated leadership in fighting for Israel on human rights issues. As Secretary of State, Hillary’s determination to halt Iran’s march towards nuclear armament was resolute. Since leaving the State Department, Hillary’s long-lasting bond with the Jewish community has continued.

“Welcome, Hillary. You are a great friend and a great champion of peace.”

-Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin, Netanyahu, 10/13/09

At The State Department

As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton helped avert an all-out war in Gaza by negotiating a cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians. Clinton worked with Israeli leaders and Egypt’s president to end a week of fighting between Hamas and Israel.

Clinton confirmed America’s commitment to Israel’s security, calling it a “cornerstone of our foreign policy in the Middle East” and reaffirming that “the United States and Israel are united by a deep and unbreakable bond based on mutual interests and respect.”

Hillary Clinton said the relationship between the U.S. and Israel is “deepening every day,” through security partnerships and expanding economic and trade collaborations to secure a bright future for all Americans and Israelis.

In a speech to the Human Rights Council, Clinton condemned the organization’s “structural bias against Israel.”

When Hillary Clinton led the State Department, the U.S. and Israel spoke almost daily to coordinate security issues.

On The Subject Of Iran

Clinton built and maintained a coalition to enact the toughest sanctions in Iran’s history, bringing Russia and China on board and helping reduce global nuclear proliferation. Working with Netanyahu to achieve a shared goal of halting development of a nuclear Iran, Clinton pledged to use all elements of American power necessary. Clinton’s brokering of these deals was praised by the American Jewish Committee of Long Island’s director.

Hillary has consistently supported using every available U.S. tool to combat Iran’s nuclear goals, warning in 2007 that “no option can be taken off the table” and that an attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation from the United States.

Hillary criticized Iran’s “pro-terrorist, anti-American, anti-Israeli rhetoric.”

After Leaving The State Department

Hillary has been welcomed to a number of fundraisers for Jewish groups since leaving the State Department including the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago.

Hillary Clinton was one of only a few speakers at the memorial for Samuel Bronfman, a longtime supporter of hers and a leader in the Jewish and philanthropic communities.

Hillary was honored by the head of the American Jewish Congress with the “Stephen S. Wise Award for Lifetime Achievement,” at an event in New York, where she spoke about issues important to the Jewish community. Past award recipients include David Ben Gurion, Golda Meir, Harry Truman, and Robert F. Kennedy.