New York – The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has strongly applauded President Bush for stating forthrightly that the United States takes seriously Iran’s threats to Israel and will “use military might to protect our ally Israel” if Iran attempts to act. President Bush, delivering a detailed speech in Cleveland yesterday on developments in Iraq and the Middle East and discussed the danger Israel faces. He also stated that the US is currently working diplomatically to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Excerpt from President Bush’s address:
“I see a threat in Iran… the threat from Iran is, of course, their stated objective to destroy our strong ally Israel. That’s a threat, a serious threat. It’s a threat to world peace; it’s a threat, in essence, to a strong alliance. I made it clear, I’ll make it clear again, that we will use military might to protect our ally, Israel.”
The ZOA has sent a letter to President Bush strongly praising him for his promise to protect America’s most reliable Middle East ally, Israel. In a letter, signed by ZOA National President Morton A. Klein, Chairman of the Board Dr. Michael Goldblatt, Chairman of the National Executive Committee Dr. Alan Mazurek and Treasurer Henry Schwartz, the ZOA wrote: “Mr. President, we applaud you on stating with firmness and clarity that you recognize that Iran poses ‘a serious threat… a threat to world peace’ and that you will ‘use military might to protect our ally, Israel.’ G-d bless you Mr. President.
“This is a time when the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has publicly stated that ’ Israel must be wiped off the map,’ repeated this and other threats to annihilate Israel and convened a conference to discuss ‘A World Without Zionism.’ At a time when Israel is threatened publicly, not only by Iran, but also by Hamas, whose Charter calls for Israel’s destruction (Article 15) and the murder of Jews (Article 7), it is reassuring to all who value freedom and democracy that you have reaffirmed your support for our only democratic and most reliable Middle Eastern ally.”