Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the Ann

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Now, all countries come in for knocks every now and again, including, if not especially, our own. But what Israel faces daily at the UN is something entirely different. As Ambassador Prosor can attest, it’s relentless. It’s obsessive. It’s ugly. It’s bad for the UN. It’s bad for peace. And it must stop.

As the President said last year when he spoke before the UN General Assembly, “Israel’s existence must not be a subject for debate.” He went on: “efforts to chip away at Israel’s legitimacy will only be met by the unshakeable opposition of the United States.” We have kept that promise, day in and day out. In fact, there hasn’t been a day in this job when my team and I haven’t worked to follow through on the President’s solemn vow.

So when, earlier this year, some tried to inject the Security Council into matters that can only be resolved through direct negotiations, we vetoed it.

When a ten-year commemoration was held for the 2001 Durban conference, which featured revolting displays of intolerance and anti-Semitism, we refused to participate.

http://www.isria.com/pages/15_December_2011_18.php

Well Said Susan Rice, Well said.

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1. Remarks by the President at the 71st General Assembly of the Union for Reform Judaism

I want to welcome Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. (Applause.) The cooperation between our militaries has never been stronger, and I want to thank Ehud for his leadership and his lifelong commitment to Israel’s security and the quest for a just and lasting peace. (Applause.)

And that’s because you helped draft the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. (Applause.) You helped to liberate Soviet Jews. (Applause.) You have made a difference on so many of the defining issues of the last half-century. And without these efforts, I probably wouldn’t be standing here today. So thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) You have brought to life your faith and your values, and the world is a better place for it.

And in that often-tragic history, this place, America, stands out. (Applause.) Now, we can’t whitewash the past. Like so many ethnic groups, Jews faced prejudice, and sometimes violence, as they sought their piece of the American Dream. But here, Jews finally found a place where their faith was protected; where hard work and responsibility paid off; where no matter who you were or where you came from, you could make it if you tried. Here in America, you really could build a better life for your children.

They fought bigotry because they had experienced bigotry. They fought for freedom of religion because they understood what it meant to be persecuted for your religious beliefs. Our country is a better place because they did. The same values that bring you here today led Justice Brandeis to fight for an America that protects the least of these. (Applause.) Those same values led Jewish leaders to found RAC 50 years ago. (Applause.) They led Abraham Joshua Heschel to pray with his feet and march with Dr. King. (Applause.) And over the last three years, they have brought us together on the most important issues of our time.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/16/remarks-president-71st-general-assembly-union-reform-judaism

A great speech from the PotUS.