arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)
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White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card in front of Aipac by guido Saturday May 04, 2002 at 11:23 PM |
Today, these common values – our love of freedom and our traditions of tolerance – are under attack. Not just in the Middle East, but across the world. These past few weeks we have seen images from Europe of burned synagogues and Torah scrolls; and a presidential candidate who has called the Holocaust a "detail in history." I can assure you that President Bush will always stand tall for freedom and tolerance – and will always stand against those who would take us back into history's nightmares.
Many of you may know that three years ago, Governor George W. Bush toured Israel by helicopter with Ariel Sharon as his tour guide. The Governor was especially struck by the fact that at the narrowest point, it is only eight miles from the Mediterranean to the old Armistice line. Later he remarked that that is less than from the top to the bottom of the Dallas-Ft. Worth airport.
This President understands that Israel is a small country that has lived under threat throughout its entire existence. He understands that America and Israel are joined by our common history, our common interests, and our common values.
Today, these common values – our love of freedom and our traditions of tolerance – are under attack. Not just in the Middle East, but across the world. These past few weeks we have seen images from Europe of burned synagogues and Torah scrolls; and a presidential candidate who has called the Holocaust a "detail in history." I can assure you that President Bush will always stand tall for freedom and tolerance – and will always stand against those who would take us back into history's nightmares.
Tonight, our President and our Nation are joined together in a belief and a commitment shared by everyone in this room: "Am Yisrael Chai!"