If you’ve missed the speeches delivered by the key speakers at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual conference in Washington DC this week then don’t worry, the full text of their addresses are readily available on the Web.
- Vice President Joe Biden, the highest-ranking official in the U.S. government to attend the gathering this year, reiterated the administration’s commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities, telling the audience that President Barack Obama “was not bluffing."
- House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the sole Jewish Republican in Congress, criticized administration policy as soft and myopic, saying "America must lead from the front."
- Outgoing Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Israel’s most senior politico at the event, said all options remained on the table, including that of military action against Iran. He uttered “We mean it” twice to drive home the message, which drew applause.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah, who usually attends the conference, delivered a speech by satellite from Jerusalem this year where he stayed behind to put together a governing coalition. He welcomed Obama ahead of his planned visit to Israel later this month.
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