Biden Speaks to AIPAC Conference

Vice President Biden today delivered the closing speech at the 2009 AIPAC Policy Conference. AIPAC, or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group whose Monday night dinner was attended by more than half of the members of Congress.

In his address, the vice president called for Israel, now led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to commit to a two-state solution in order to broker peace with the Palestinians.

"You're not going to like my saying this," Biden said, "but [it's important to] not build more settlements, dismantle existing outposts and allow Palestinians freedom of movement."
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In his AIPAC address, Biden said the U.S. would continue to help Israel maintain its national security and said that the Palestinians must do their part to achieve peace, as the AP notes. He also sought to calm fears that diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran will not compromise Israeli security.

Iran “plays a dangerous role in the region, supporting terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, and undermining many of our friends,” Biden said. “Indeed, these proxies are the tools Iran uses to exploit conflicts, like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to its advantage.”
CBS