Leon Panetta

Address to the American-Israel Political Affairs Committee

delivered 6 March 2012, Washington, D.C.

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It’s my great honor to be here -- and to be the first Secretary of Defense to address an AIPAC Policy Conference in more than 20 years.  I come here as Secretary, but more significantly, I come as a lifelong friend to Israel.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with Howard Kohr and Lee Rosenberg in my office at the Pentagon.  They briefed me on how they saw the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship.  And together we discussed ways to strengthen, to enhance, and to deepen the security relationship between the United States and our great ally, Israel.

This commitment -- to an even stronger U.S.-Israel relationship -- is one that is shared by the President, by me as Secretary of Defense, and by my entire military and civilian leadership at the Department of Defense.

The strength of that shared commitment is reflected in the size and makeup of this audience.  Your presence here today is a testament to the broad and unshakable support that the American people, the American leaders, of all backgrounds have for Israel.  I’m told there are more than 1,500 students from hundreds of campuses in attendance.   My wife and I, as some of you may know, developed a public policy institute, the purpose of which is to inspire public service and that’s exactly what AIPAC does here.

As current and future leaders come together, you send a strong and an unmistakable signal to the entire world that the United States and Israel stand together.  Our shared values, our shared interests, and our shared desire to work together are essential to the security interests of both nations and to a peaceful and prosperous Middle East.

As a former member of Congress representing the Central Coast of California for over 16 years, I’ve had longstanding respect for AIPAC and its mission and am proud to consider myself a longstanding ally of this organization.

As Chairman of the House Budget Committee in the 1980s and 1990s, and later as OMB Director, I had the opportunity to work on budget issues regarding military and economic assistance to Israel.

One of my warmest memories is working closely as a member of Congress with my dear friend Naomi Lauter,  She was someone very special to me who served for many years, as many of you know, as AIPAC’s regional director based out of San Francisco.  I understand her son Sam is here and carries on her great work.

I should also mention that I have a personal connection to Israel that dates back to my days as a member of Congress.  For more than ten years I shared a house with my fellow Congressmen right here in the District of Columbia.  If you’ve seen the movie Animal House, you’ll have some idea of what that was like.  One of the members of that exclusive fraternity was Chuck Schumer someone that many of you know, and that many of you understand has a tremendous passion for Israel that is deep and infectious.  I lived in the bottom of that house in the living room area and every night before we went to sleep, he made me say the Shema.  I made him say the Hail Mary.  He learned from my passion as an Italian.  And I learned from his passion for Israel.

Particularly, I think, when a little over 20 years ago, he and I, and some of our dearest friends, made a visit to Israel together.   That visit was in August of 1991.  And it left a very deep and a very lasting impression on me.  It was at a time when hundreds of thousands of Jews from the Soviet Union were making aliyah and fulfilling the dream to live a free and more prosperous life in their historic homeland.  That trip gave me an even stronger appreciation for Israel’s promise as a Jewish and democratic state.  And coming just months after Saddam’s SCUD missiles had attacked Tel Aviv and Haifa, the visit also underscored the complex array of security threats facing Israel, by virtue of its geography, by virtue of politics, and by virtue of history.

In the years since, I’ve been honored to work on the full range of issues of utmost concern in the relationship between Washington and Jerusalem.

As a member of President Clinton’s cabinet, one of my lasting memories was standing on the South Lawn of the White House to witness that historic moment when Yitzhak Rabin courageously extended his hand in peace.  And then, tragically, after Rabin’s death, as President Clinton’s Chief of Staff, I was honored to go to Israel and witness the President pay tribute to the memory of his fallen friend.

Whether at a time of tragedy or a time of hope, the courage of the people of Israel is fundamental to its survival.  Courage is woven into the fabric of Israel’s history and its soul.  From Abraham to David to Joshua to the courage of the modern day IDF, the Jewish people have shown their strength and resilience and ultimately fulfilled their dream to live in their homeland.

When I returned to government as Director of CIA and had the responsibility to confront terrorists whose sole goal was to destroy my country, I had a greater appreciation for the terrorism and threats that face Israel every day.

And as a consequence, I have developed even stronger bonds with my counterparts in the Israeli government -- ties of mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual interest that are the cornerstone of the unprecedented cooperation that now exists between our two governments.

During my tenure as Director of CIA, I consulted regularly with my counterparts like Mossad Directors Meir Dagan and Tamir Pardo, and I saw the benefits that came from close intelligence cooperation between our governments at the very highest levels.  And I can tell you that after our operation to get Bin Laden, the first congratulations that I got were from my buddies in Mossad.

And in my current job as Secretary of Defense, I’ve been reunited with my dear old friend and counterpart, Ehud Barak.  Ehud and I talk frequently.  I just met with him for 90 minutes in my office last Wednesday.   There is no Minister of Defense I have met with more frequently or consulted more often.  We talk.  We argue.  We eat.  We are family.

I also met yesterday with my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu.  I’ve come to know the Prime Minister well since my days in the Clinton Administration when I was Chief of Staff, and have now had the opportunity to meet with him regularly each time I go to Israel.

From these visits to Israel and my frequent meetings with Israeli leaders, I am acutely aware of the dangers that confront Israel and the significance of our defense relationship.  As a consequence, the level of cooperation and interaction between our militaries and intelligence agencies is deeper and stronger and broader than at any other time during my experience in government.

Let me assure you that the security bonds between Israel and the United States will only grow as America goes through a historic turning point after a decade of war.

Even in the face of budget reductions imposed by the Congress, the defense strategy we have designed at the Department of Defense for the future makes clear our commitment to confront and defeat any adversary -- anytime, anywhere.  Although we have ended the mission in Iraq and begun a transition in Afghanistan, and the threats we face in the world are still very real and are still there -- we are involved in a war in Afghanistan, and we are still confronting terrorism.  As much as we have been able to decimate their leadership and damage their command and control, they still remain a threat whether in Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia; we still have the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and materials; we have the threat from Iran; we have the threat from North Korea; we have continuing turmoil in the Middle East, we have rising powers in Asia, we have a new threat, the threat of cyber intrusions and attacks.

In the face of these threats, we must never rest easy -- too many lives have been lost, too much blood has been spilt.  The range of security challenges facing both the United States and Israel remains very real.  And for that reason, it’s absolutely vital that this cooperation continue, and not only continue, but deepen.

The cornerstone of this unprecedented defense cooperation is our commitment to maintain and expand Israel’s qualitative military edge.

This is an ironclad pledge which says that the United States will provide whatever support is necessary for Israel to maintain military superiority over any state or coalition of states, as well as non-state actors.

The United States makes this pledge and fulfills this commitment because of the very real security concerns that Israel faces every single day.

Israel is surrounded by neighbors that have waged wars against it.  The Israeli people have been subjected to rocket attacks, to terrorism, and they live in a world where larger nations have threatened to wipe them off the map.

Moreover, the Jewish people carry the burden of centuries of exile, persecution, and the memory of knowing that six million people were murdered not because of what they did but simply because of who they were.

This is the undeniable history, and these are the undeniable security concerns that President Obama made clear to the UN General Assembly last year and confirmed to all of you last Sunday.

He has made it his priority to boost Israel’s military superiority in the Middle East for another very simple reason as well:  we have no better ally in this critical region of the world.  A strong Israel deters potential aggressors.  A strong Israel sends a message to the region and to the world that America will not waver in defense of our allies.

And for this reason, even though we are facing serious fiscal constraints, U.S. security assistance to Israel has increased dramatically since this President took office.  This year, the President’s budget requests 3.1 billion dollars in security assistance to Israel, compared to 2.5 billion dollars in 2009.

That’s part of a 10-year, 30 billion dollars commitment to Israel’s security.

Over and above this commitment, the President has committed more than 650 million dollars in DoD funding for Israeli missile defense.

Recognizing that rockets and missiles -- whether fired from Gaza or from further afield -- pose one of the most immediate threats to the security of Israel.  This package more than doubles the previous administration’s planned level of 320 million dollars over the same period.

On missile defense, we are actively working with Israel at all levels.  For short range defense to guard against the continued threat of rocket barrages from Gaza, the administration provided more than 200 million dollars for the Iron Dome rocket defense system -- support that enabled the fielding of a third and fourth battery of that proven system.

Iron Dome is fielded, it is operational, and this new system has already saved the lives of Israeli civilians with over 30 real world successful hit-to-kill intercepts in 2011.

Iron Dome is but one layer in a comprehensive multi-layered rocket and missile defense system that is being built through close U.S. and Israeli partnership.  We are proceeding to implement medium-range missile defense with David’s Sling, and upper tier ballistic missile defense with the Arrow-3 system.  We are also working to upgrade Israel’s Patriot missile system and batteries.

We are committed to moving forward with all of these systems and more -- because as the Prime Minister told me and I agree -- these missile shields do not start wars, they prevent wars.

Supporting Israel’s missile defense is important because it saves Israeli lives.

Beyond missile defense, we must also ensure Israel’s qualitative military edge by equipping them with the highly advanced weapons that are restricted to only the closest of our allies and partners.

As just one example, the United States will ensure that Israel continues to enjoy unquestioned air superiority by delivering to Israel the advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. 

The F-35 is the future of tactical aviation for the United States military, and providing Israel with this advanced fighter makes it the only country in the Middle East with a true fifth-generation fighter capability, upholding Israel’s edge not just now but for years to come.

But providing military hardware is only part of our support for Israel’s military superiority.  Another way is by honing operational concepts, building greater capability and improving partnership through realistic exercises, joint training and personnel exchanges.

Each year, U.S. and Israeli forces take part in numerous exercises.  For example, in 2010, more than 1,000 U.S. troops participated in the missile defense exercise JUNIPER COBRA.  This year, we have scheduled an even larger exercise, AUSTERE CHALLENGE, which will involve more than 3,000 U.S. troops.

Going forward, we are also committed to exploring with Israel cooperative ways that the Department of Defense and the Israeli Defense Forces can reduce our dependencies on oil.

DoD is developing alternative fuels, greening our fleet, testing planes with bio-blends, and making bases net-neutral on the power grid.  Together, we must find ways to reduce dependence on oil.

This kind of cooperation is mutually beneficial to both my country and to Israel.  It has made both of our militaries stronger, it has made both of our countries safer, and it has saved American and Israeli lives.

For example, it was an Israeli company that met the call to help protect American soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan by surging production of up-armor kits for Humvees and mine-resistant vehicles.  The kits were made in an Israeli kibbutz, and they saved the lives of our men and women in uniform.

One of my most solemn duties in this job as Secretary of Defense, and one frankly that is the most difficult, is to write condolence letters to the families of our service members who make the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and for our freedom.   It is difficult to take the time and sit and write those families who have lost their loved ones.   And I say to them that as difficult of this moment is, by virtue of them giving their lives to this country, the ultimate sacrifice, that they are heroes, that they are patriots, and we will never forget them.

I wrote one recently to a young boy whose father died in Afghanistan.  And I can tell you with each letter, I thank God for those whose lives have been saved.  There are simply no words that can adequately thank the people of that kibbutz whose ingenuity have allowed fathers and mothers to come home to their sons and daughters.

This level of cooperation -- technological and strategic -- in every way is absolutely essential because we are clearly confronting a time of great turmoil and uncertainty in the Middle East.

And when it comes to the challenges in the region, none is of greater concern than Iran.  No greater threat exists to the security of Israel and to the entire region -- and indeed the United States -- than a nuclear armed Iran.  As President Obama made clear here on Sunday and as he has said consistently, the United States is determined to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Let me be clear -- we do not have a policy of containment; we have a policy of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

This administration has applied unprecedented pressure on the Iranian regime, and they now face crippling sanctions and growing isolation.  Their closest ally -- the Asad regime of Syria -- is collapsing, and the Iranians now face a choice: to either meet their international obligations and rejoin the community of nations, or violate their international obligations, and face the consequences.

We have made clear to the regime in Tehran and to our allies in the region:  we want diplomacy to work … we will back this diplomacy with strong and increasing pressure … and we will keep all options -- including military action -- on the table to prevent them from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

As the President has made clear, the United States does not bluff.  In this town, it’s easy to talk tough.  Acting tough is a hell of a lot more important.  The President ordered 30,000 additional troops into battle in Afghanistan to confront a resurgent Taliban.  He launched a comprehensive precision bombing campaign to protect the Libyan people, and ultimately toppled a brutal dictator.  He has ordered U.S. warships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite threats that we have received from Tehran.  He has been the driving force behind the most successful and lethal counterterrorism campaign in U.S. history, culminating in the bold decision to send U.S. Special Operations Forces hundreds of miles into Pakistan to take the risk to take down Bin Laden.   And he did.

The President has shown that we will do whatever is necessary to protect our people, to protect our allies, and to protect our interests.

Of course, we do not make these decisions lightly.  As the President said on this stage, these are the most consequential decisions a President can make.  We prefer a diplomatic path.  As the Prime Minister himself has said -- military action is the last alternative when all else fails.  But make no mistake, when all else fails, we will act.

I believe -- and I truly do -- that we will succeed if the United States and Israel continue to work so closely together, and forge an international consensus to compel Tehran to change course.

That is the kind of benefit that cooperation can bring, that partnership can bring, and I believe that cooperation is going to be essential to confronting the security challenges of the 21st century.  In confronting these challenges, and in securing peace, Israel will always have the unshakable backing of the United States.  And the United States must always have the unshakable trust of our ally Israel.

Last October, I traveled to Israel on one of my first visits overseas as Secretary of Defense.  I had the opportunity to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and lay a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance.

I told those gathered nearby that it was a very moving experience for me personally, because what we learned at Yad Vashem commits all good people to work together to ensure that it never happens again.

That is my pledge, and that is the solemn and sacred pledge of the United States.  We are stronger when we act as one.  We are stronger when we work together to support a sovereign and secure Israel.  We are stronger when we both embrace our histories that pledge us to fight for what is right and to fight for the dream of giving our children a better and more secure life.

Thank you, and may God bless Israel, and may God bless the United States of America.

Book/CDs by Michael E. Eidenmuller, Published by McGraw-Hill (2008)

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