In a video address, former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference on Mar. 1 he will always support Israel, but he also believes in a two-state solution for the Palestinians.
Biden said that while he couldn’t make the conference because of the ongoing Democratic presidential primary, he wanted to send a video message because AIPAC’s “voice matters to me.” He pledged to combat anti-Semitism and that he never engages in any boycotts of Israel.
“I will always call out anti-Semitism, whether it comes from the left, right or center,” he said, adding that every generation has to fight for America’s values to ensure that the country doesn’t give into hate.
Biden also said he will always recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
“‘Israelis wake up every morning facing an existential threat from their neighbors,” he said, citing the constant threat Israel faces on its southern border with the Gaza Strip. He urged Hamas and Islamic Jihad to end their constant rocket attacks against Israel and for the Palestinian Authority to cease inciting terror attacks against Israelis.
However, he also advocated for a two-state solution with the Palestinians and received huge applause from attendees for making the statement.
“You don’t have to be anti-Palestinian to be pro-Israel,” Biden said, calling the situation in the Palestinian territories a “humanitarian crisis.” Citing “Palestinian dignity,” he also stated that Israeli annexation of settlements is an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Biden called for unity among both Republicans and Democrats, and concluded his address saying, “There is nothing we cannot achieve when Israel and the United States stand together.”
