The firsts account of Kerry speaking at AIPAC that I can find

[karynnj]

The first thing I found was:
I like that he spoke of settlements as wrong and of the two state solution when speaking to AIPAC, who he's knows are to the right of even Likkud on issues of Israel. That he added the need for freedom of movement in the West Bank is fantastic.


"Kerry says a few words for Palestinians at AIPAC--and what is the sound of one hand clapping?


When he called for a two-state solution now, when he came down on settlement expansion, there was just a smattering of applause for John Kerry at AIPAC today. Settlements "empower the enemies of peace in the region," Kerry said. And as Matt Duss wrote on Twitter, "Crickets." Just a handful of applauders when he called for "freedom of movement" in the West Bank. This group knows that Israel has turned right, and they are moving with Israel."


http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/05/kerry-says-a-few-words-for-palestinians-at-aipacand-what-is-the-sound-of-one-hand-clapping-.html

Here is a better article from the American Prospect

I'll have more on this speech later, but the big takeaway is that John Kerry, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has called, in no uncertain terms, upon Israel to do more to support Palestinian statehood -- including ending all new settlement activity. "Nothing will do more to show Israel's commitment to peace...than freezing new settlement activity," Kerry said. "Settlements make it more difficult for Israel to support its own citizens. ...They undercut President Abbas and strengthen Hamas by convincing Palestinians there is no reward for moderation." This statement was greeted with polite applause here at the Washington Convention Center.

The best possible future, Kerry stated, would hold "two states -- one Israeli, one Palestinian -- living side by side in peace and security. The big question is how we get there." He continued, "I say this as a friend. None of us have done nearly enough to make that entity a reality. ...We must strengthen those Palestinians willing to make tough sacrifices for peace."

AIPAC's talking points and lobbying goals support a two-state solution, yet one gets the sense on the ground here at the convention that there is some real skepticism. At Mondoweiss, Phil Weiss has some thoughts on that tension. For his part, Kerry acknowledged that skepticism, saying there has been too much "process" and not enough outcome in the peace process. To reassure the skeptics, he laid out the following expectations for Arab leaders:

1. Ending Hamas rocket attacks on Israel.

2. Legitimizing Israel in the eyes of the Arab public: ending boycotts, holding public meetings between Arab and Israeli leaders, and allowing El Al to fly in Arab airspace.

3. Ending "poisonous rhetoric" toward Israeli and Jews, including in school textbooks.

On the whole though, Kerry left little doubt that he expects AIPAC and the new Israeli government to move very quickly in support of Palestinian statehood. "It is a simple truth that the window of opportunity for a two-state solution is fast closing," he warned.

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=05&year=2009&base_name=john_kerry_at_aipac_we_must_do

[Still Sensible]

1. As always it is a political problem, show them the way

Unfortunately, the elections in Israel and the re-ascendancy of Netanyahu without a plurality of votes, was another example of how the way to get elected there is to take a hard line on the issue. It is no less true than saying that the way to get elected for Palestinians or in Iran is to take the hardest line against Israel.

The way to move toward the two-state solution is to figure out how to get there while convincing the Netanyahu hard liners and the Palestinian hard liners that they won't have to cede power by supporting that solution. It is a hard task because it is antithetical to them. Obviously the entrenched political power on both sides have been and are more interested in maintaining their power than pursuing peace--which is really the norm worldwide, not the exception.

Jimmy Carter made great strides in the 70's toward the goal and Bill Clinton advanced the ball a little more. I am sure that the administration and Secretary Clinton know full well what the challenge is... and that it is harder today on the US side because hard line AIPAC is stronger today than ever before. But Kerry's speech is simply one supportive step in the right direction.

[karynnj]

2. VP Biden also spoke in favor of a 2 state solution

This is from a leading Israeli newspaper - that had little else on Biden's speech, but very interesting information on positions of others in the Obama administration:

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden pressed Israel on Tuesday to support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in an address to the leading pro-Israel lobby AIPAC during its annual conference in Washington.

<snip>

General James Jones, national security adviser to President Barack Obama, told a European foreign minister a week ago that unlike the Bush administration, Obama will be "forceful" with Israel.

Meanwhile, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told AIPAC delegates on Mondau night that two states for two peoples is the only solution the United States is committed to.

<snip>
Jones is the main force in the Obama administration stressing the Palestinian question and believes that the United States must become more intensively involved in the matter vis-a-vis both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Several days ago, a classified telegram was received in Jerusalem discussing a meeting between Jones and a European foreign minister. Jones told his European interlocutor that President George W. Bush had avoided actions on the Palestinian question that Israel opposed, but the Obama administration intended to change this practice and become more active. It would not make concessions on matters that Israel had committed to.




http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1083213.html

[leveymg]

3. There are a lot of those at AIPAC who imagine they can stall a 2-state solution and the settlements

will stay. Just wait things out until another war can be started, or some other big randomizing event happens.

I don't think so. If by some chance the Palestinian Unity Gov't and the settlers can BOTH agree to allowing the settlements to remain, but under Palestinian jurisdiction, that might work. But, what to do about those within both camps who can't or won't live with that? Otherwise, it's back to the seeming deadlock of somehow persuading the Israelis to evacuate enough of the West Bank to put the 2005 proposed Geneva Accords in place.

Does anyone see a way out of this dilemma?

[Jennicut]

4. Found a small bit on what Biden said

Joe Biden to AIPAC: 'You're not going to like my saying this--'

The vice president said a few words about freezing settlement expansion and granting greater freedom of movement to Palestinians as a means of demonstrating Israel's commitment to Palestinian statehood. "Show me," he challenged Israel. And he got applause. Not a smattering, but not robust either.http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2009/05/joe-biden-to-aipac-youre-not-going-to-like-my-saying-this.html

[karynnj]

6. Phillip Weiss seems to be evaluating everything in terms of applause

The fact is that JK got a lot of applause from the audio, where he was said to have none - and the applause for Biden in the extremely early clip sounded pretty enthusiastic.

[Jennicut]

7. I wonder how much applause Newtie got the other day.

I have a feeling they will ignore what Kerry and Biden said completely but at least Dems and the Administration are doing the right thing.

[karynnj]

8. The funny thing is that I bet that more of them voted for Kerry and Obama/Biden

than voted against them - in spite of their position on Israel.

[Jennicut]

9. True. Obama really did win over many Jewish voters.

There are actually many moderate Jews out there. My Mother is half Jewish, on her mother's side. Her whole family on that side was never extremists. The problems is the extremists are certainly louder that the moderates. We will see what happens.

[karynnj]

11. I'm Jewish, though only by conversion

Most Jews have been Democrats for ages. Recently, I photocopied a diary my mother-in-law wrote in 1936 for my daughter who was thinking that it could be original material for something she might do in College. She mentions going with her parents to vote for the her first time. She wrote of voting for Roosevelt and all the other "darn Democrats". My husband's grandmother still had a photo of FDR in her house in the 1990s - and was still Democrat. (We had found the diary helping my mother in law move. My husband asked if he could read it - and after rereading it herself, she gave it to him.)

[karynnj]

5. Some poor quality video of part of the speech

where you can hear speech and sort of see Kerry - at least on a video scene. http://qik.com/video/1613116

Just noticed that a similar Biden video is available on same link

[Gator_Matt]

10. AIPAC and the like are too Machiavillian for me

From my interactions with those who think along these lines, they remind me of Neocons in their thinking. They have a ruthless do whatever it takes to acquire more land mentality. An elderly Palestinian woman gets sniped? "That's war." I can't stand it.

[karynnj]

12. The point is that many of the AIPAC people are powerful politically

They also are more unwilling to hear criticism of Israel than Israelis. They are not anywhere near the mainstream of Jewish thought. BUT, here Kerry and Biden are telling them the truth about what needs to happen. This is very important. Both could have avoided the conference and found a more supportive group - such as the wonderful interfaith group that has tried to be a positive impact on pushing a resolution to this - to speak of their positions. However, reaching these people and trying to get them to understand is more productive.

[karynnj]

13. The Hill's report on Biden and Kerry at AIPAC

My favorite quote:

"You cannot make peace out of one side of your mouth and preach hate out of the other," - Kerry's, of course.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/biden-defends-outreach-to-iran-in-aipac-speech-2009-05-05.html

[beachmom]

14. thanks for the round up, Karynnj. nt

[wisteria]

16. Yes, this quote gets right to the point of the matter. This is one quote I am keeping. n/t

[karynnj]

17. Here is another Israeli report

(I suspect from the right - given the use of Judaia and Samaria.)
Vice President Joe Biden and Democratic Senator John Kerry told the pro-Israel AIPAC lobby Tuesday that Israel must freeze all building in Judea and Samaria and make further concessions to the Palestinian Authority.

Their speeches preceded by several hours a visit by President Shimon Peres to U.S. President Barack Obama, who has fulfilled his post-election commitment to “hit the ground running” in order to return Israel and the PA to the table for discussions on a new PA state.
<snip>

Both speeches represented an increasingly intense across-the-board campaign in the Obama government to force Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to accept the “two-state solution.” The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit President Obama later this month and is to be followed by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
<snip>

However, Sen. Kerry was more explicit in his demands for Arabs to be more moderate towards Israel. He noted the continuing “poisonous rhetoric” in the Arab and PA school system. Eliminating incitement was one of the conditions that the PA was to fulfill before reaching the stage of final talks for the creation of a new Arab state on the land of Judea, Gaza and Samaria. Immediate past U.S. Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said she was skipping over the step, which is part of the original Roadmap plan of the Bush administration.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/131206

[wisteria]

15. Truth and common ground is not what this group wanted to hear.

I applaud both Senator Kerry and VP Biden for speaking up and saying what was unpopular but needed to be said.

[Inuca]

18. Thankl you VP Biden and Sen. Kerry

And thank you karyn for all the info.

[karynnj]

19. CSPAN.ORG video is up now

The intro to Kerry starts at about 8 minutes. http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2009/05/05/HP/A/18231/Vice+Pres+Biden+Sen+John+Kerry+DMA+Remarks+at+AIPAC+Annual+Conference.aspx

(they have a segment honoring Hastings first, then at about 11 minutes in there is Kerry, followed by Biden)

[karynnj]

20. Kerry's speech is incredible

I can't say it is his best - only because I've said that at least 10 times before. The speech though is beautifully crafted to praise what is good in Israel and to praise values like Tikun Olam, repairing the world and reassuring them - but making the case for a two state solution.

By the way, Weiss is crazy - there was a huge amount of applause - it might be he means just after one or two lines.

[ObamaKerryDem]

21. Proudly K&R for Senator Kerry..once again. :D n/t

[karynnj]

22. Biden joked about how well he takes direction

Then he spoke of how the Obama administration has a goal of changing the direction the country and the world is moving towards.

[YvonneCa]

25. Thank you SO much! I've been waiting...

...for this.

[ProSense]

27. Awesome speech. Thanks for posting. n/t

[politicasista]

23. Thanks for posting this

Cause the live blogger at Jack & Jill Politics trashed Kerry for being a "crappy" speaker though made the better arguments ITO.

http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2009/05/live-from-aipac-its-jack-and-jill/






edit to add link

[karynnj]

24. He was speaking specifically about the two state solution

and how it was received when both said it. There were no negative comments when Kerry was speaking - as there were when Biden was and was telling his "mad stories". The only one close to that was a comment that misunderstood Kerry's "we can't let Hamas win again". Kerry was speaking of giving Abbas enough in the way of concessions - ie allowing freer movement in teh West Bank and doing things to make people's lives better. He was not talking about not letting them run or importing Diebold machines. All and all, they simply recounted Kerry's points. They then later say that he made the better case intellectually.

What he says in comparison to Biden is:
"I actually thought intellectually, Kerry made the better argument that the settlements undermine Israeli security, but Biden's speech was better received. Maybe it's because Biden is a better speaker, or that Biden has a more longstanding relationship with AIPAC.

I would add a third - Kerry was tougher on the settlements. AIPAC seems to have grudgingly given up fighting the two state solution - which is a major Obama victory, but they are not happy - and the settlements are a BIG issue in a 2 state solution.

Even constrained to the two choices - what is true is that Kerry has disagreed with AIPAC far more than Biden. Remember the vote to ban sales of cluster bombs, AIPAC and Biden were for it, Kerry was against it. He is also VP and he is representing the President - his words ARE more important because they reflect the administration's policies.

What I heard were two - pretty consistent, excellent speeches. Now, it would surprise no one that I liked Senator Kerry's better. It was better written, flowed better and it was sharper on what he was for. I also think Kerry is by far the better speaker, though this is the best Biden speech I have ever heard. (Not to mention having them back to back - representing the top fp person in the Senate and the highest fp person in the administration - was a tour de force. This is a major signal that the US has moved on this issue and is reaching out to all sides in the spirit of Tikun Olam - (healing the world) and I am very happy Kerry used that phrase. This makes arguing which was better a case of embarrassment of riches - like arguing which was the best song on a Beatles album.)

[politicasista]

26. Thanks for the clarification

New to the AIPAC thing. I think the left despises them, but I believe (and based on the live blog and your links) that as a rep of the O administration, Biden has a long relationship with them even though they sound like a group of powerful warmongers. And Kerry deserves credit for making the intellectual points needed to be made.

I am not into cherry picking one word, but the word "crappy" stood out because Kerry still gets tagged as a poor speaker (though he made that solid "Disssent" speech) or not up there with Obama, BC, Biden, (even Dean or Kucinich) as far as Democrats and liberals go with speaking. (Though he was real good as then-candidate Obama's surrogate) To each his own though.

Thanks for the feedback. :)

[karynnj]

28. Kerry gets credit as a great speaker far more often than Biden,

Dean or Kuchinich. You really have to be cherry picking comments to get there. i have NEVER heard Kucinich praised for speeches ever - and Dean and Biden rarely were. Kerry has been called eloquent since 1971.

[politicasista]

29. True

People will hear what they want (sometimes instead of need) to hear.

I am noticing of late that the media only covers Biden either when he is with Obama or when he says something twisted as a gaffe instead of the issues.

[karynnj]

30. Biden should have been covered more on this speech than he has been

(his speech is more important than Kerry's - because Biden is the VP and is speaking for the President here.)

It is ridiculous that I haven't heard this mentioned - even though it is a very important policy speech on a major topic. Instead there was a lot of speculation on the SC nominee, tons of coverage of Elizabeth and John Edwards, and coverage of Specter's bizarre comment that Norm Coleman should be seated.

[politicasista]

32. Exactly

The American media/press is really a joke. :(

[Muttocracy]

31. K&R & thanks to both men - transcript of prepared remarks:

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/05/biden_kerry_off.html