Thread by @AIPAC

NOW: @SenBooker addresses #AIPAC2020.

Watch live: watch.aipac.org

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@SenBooker “Unequivocally and resolutely,

We believe in the state of Israel.

We believe in the unshakable bond between our countries.

We believe that Israel is our indispensable ally in an increasingly dangerous region and complex world.

@SenBooker We believe in the right of Israel to defend itself against aggressors and terrorists.

And we will stand with our ally in their defense and fully support them, ensuring that they have the means and resources to provide for their security and ours.

@SenBooker America's support for Israel is common ground.

America’s partnership with Israel has never been, and must never become, a Republican issue or a Democratic issue.

It must always be an American issue, a bipartisan issue, our issue.

This is our truth.

@SenBooker The deep bond between the United States and Israel has always derived its power from the fact that it has very little to do with what party or person is in power in either country.

It has to do with the truth of who we are.

@SenBooker As a United States Senator, I see it as my obligation to protect the bipartisan nature of this sacred friendship between Israel and the United States.

@SenBooker I call on all of us, everyone in this room & everyone outside of it who care deeply about preserving the bond between our two nations...I call on you to guard against those who try to politicize the American-Israeli partnership for their own gain or divide us against each other.

@SenBooker As long as the people of Israel live under the constant threat of indiscriminate violence, whether emanating from Iran’s destabilizing actions in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, or from Hezbollah & Hamas, or other terror groups we must always stand for Israel’s security & defense.

@SenBooker Together, we have work to do. As long as Israeli citizens live under the horrifying threat of rocket attacks we must continue our support for the Iron Dome; missile defense systems; critical intelligence cooperation; and key technology & resources essential for Israel’s defense.

@SenBooker Together; We have work to do.

Like you, I have long advocated for a two-state solution because it is the only path to lasting peace.

@SenBooker And those of us gathered together here today know that we who stand for Israel’s safety, security and right to exist as a Jewish state must also stand for the human dignity, human rights, safety and self-determination of the Palestinian people.

@SenBooker It is important that we note what we all know: we support Israel not just because it is in our national security interest to do so, but because of what Israel means for the world.

@SenBooker To ensure Israel’s security means we are enabling and empowering a Democratic nation of disproportionate innovation and ingenuity to do the work that is literally Tikkun Olam - repairing the world.

@SenBooker Israel is helping to lead humanity in pioneering new technologies and developments to take on threats from global climate change to the looming crisis of global water scarcity to global health epidemics.

@SenBooker A nation of innovation, creativity, and leadership for the greater good of all peoples.

As Isaiah said: a light unto all nations.

A light unto all nations. Those are Israel's values and American values. This is our shared dream.

@SenBooker On one of my many trips to Israel long before I was a United States Senator, my Israeli friend pointed out to me Mount Nebo.

This was the mountain God allowed Moses to climb to look over and see the promised land.

@SenBooker It is also the mountain that Martin Luther King spoke of in the final speech of his life, when he said:

@SenBooker “I've been to the mountaintop. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land.”

@SenBooker Martin Luther King went to bed that night April 3 at the Lorraine Motel; and soon after he woke that morning on April 4, he went out on the balcony and was slain by an assassin's bullet.

@SenBooker If you go to that site today; you will see written on a block of stone marking where he was killed the words of the Torah.

@SenBooker It is the words of Joseph’s brothers, the words they uttered before they threw him into a pit to die; but he did not die in that pit, he rose up and lead a nation Egypt through crisis;

@SenBooker “Behold, here cometh the Dreamer. Let us slay him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.”

My brothers and sisters, what will become of the dream? The Dream of our ancestors. The Dream of Israel. The Dream of America.

@SenBooker What will become of our dream?

Dreams of peace and justice for all -- for Black, white, Brown; Muslim, Christian, Jew. Israeli, American, Palestinian.

What will become of our dream; will it be degraded; will it become diminished or degraded or divided against itself?

@SenBooker There is work to do, and I know we are prepared to do it together.

We will keep America safe;

We will keep Israel safe.

We’ll keep the bond between our nations unshakable.

@SenBooker Because there is work to do;

We’ll achieve peace.

We will rescue The Dream.

We’ll ensure Israel and America remain a light unto all nations."

@SenBooker at #AIPAC2020
#AIPACProud