Chairman Dean's Excerpts from AIPAC Keynote Speech
November 22, 2005
Philadelphia, PA --- Last night, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Excerpts of his remarks as prepared for delivery are printed below:
“Recently I returned from a moving and memorable week in Israel with the National Jewish Democratic Council.
“I am still amazed when I walk through the Old City and see the newer apartments rebuilt after Israel reunified Jerusalem, standing above the ruins of homes from the times of the First and Second Temples. Jews today look down and pray the same prayers in the same language as their ancestors did 3,000 years ago…
“When it comes to Israel— we are all staunch allies and friends. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel…
“I want to share a personal experience from my recent trip to Israel. Just a couple of months ago, Daniel and Elisheva Gordis welcomed me into their Jerusalem home for Shabbat dinner with their family. Daniel spoke movingly of the emotional roller coaster he and his family has been on since they made aliyah five years ago.
“As a father of two children not much older than the Gordises, I continue to be tremendously moved by Danny’s stoicism and bravery living in Jerusalem as Palestinian terrorists have targeted him and his neighbors.
“No one should have to live in fear that their children will be bombed on their way home from school. No one should live in fear that their spouse will not come home from work. No one should fear for their safety because they are Jewish…
“We all long for the day when Israelis will no longer fear terrorism and send their kids off to war. The Democratic Party has a proud history of support for Israel— a long-standing friend and ally whose security the United States has always worked to bolster and protect.
“Literally from Israel’s birth, as that great Democrat Harry Truman took the courageous step to immediately extend America’s hand to recognize the State of Israel, Democrats have done all we can to foster the special, enduring relationship between the two countries. Maintaining Israel's security is a key U.S. national security interest…
“We all support the vision of two states living side by side in peace and security. But, the establishment of a Palestinian state must be contingent on the cessation of violence and terror. The Palestinian Authority must dismantle the terrorist infrastructure and continue the on-going transformation to leaders untainted by terror…
“Democrats will continue to defend the rights of Jews to be Jewish in America. America is a nation of many faiths. America is a nation for all of our people. It is important for our elected officials to be pro-Israel but it is, of course, not enough to only support Israel…
“Howard Friedman, who will soon be AIPAC’s president, recently asked me about the differences between the Democratic and Republican parties.
“I think the difference in the parties is that Democrats fundamentally believe it is important to make sure American Jews feel comfortable being American Jews, and that we have a country where everyone is welcome. There’s no place for a religious doctrine that everyone is bound by in order to become a good American. It’s why I’m a Democrat and why I’m in this job. I believe everyone ought to be able to practice their religion freely…
“Democrats are proud to have received more than three-quarters of the Jewish vote in the last presidential election. We are strong on defense, we are staunch allies of Israel and we will work to ensure that American Jews are comfortable being American Jews.”
