Following Rahm Emanuel’s speech today in Tel Aviv, Democratic Majority for Israel President & CEO Brian Romick made the following statement:
“Rahm Emanuel’s speech at Tel Aviv University was thoughtful, serious, and grounded in a sincere commitment to Israel’s future security and prosperity. There is no question, his connection to Israel is personal and longstanding, and his willingness to engage on difficult issues reflects that commitment.
“At a time when too many conversations about Israel ignore historical context, Emanuel offered important perspective. He rightly noted that Israel has repeatedly offered the Palestinians a path to statehood in exchange for peace, only to see those opportunities rejected by Palestinian leaders. He was also correct to argue that Arab states must play a far greater role in pressing Palestinian leadership to reject terrorism, end corruption and incitement, and become a genuine partner for peace.
“Emanuel was also right to warn that settlement expansion and settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank are unacceptable, and that the perpetrators must be held accountable. These actions undermine Israel’s long-term interests and make a negotiated peace even more difficult to achieve.
“At the same time, we must remain clear-eyed about the realities on the ground today. As Emanuel affirmed, the atrocities of October 7 left Israelis profoundly traumatized. And while he was right to call on the Arab world to hold Palestinians responsible, any credible ‘day after’ strategy for Gaza must begin with the removal of Hamas from power and ensuring those responsible for October 7 cannot govern or threaten Israel ever again. The fact that Hamas and Hezbollah remain armed on Israel’s borders underscores why Israel cannot be treated the same as every other trusted U.S. ally, as Emanuel acknowledged by calling for Israel to maintain its qualitative military edge. Israel does not face the same security environment as any other American partner. It confronts an extraordinary array of threats, from Iranian-backed terrorist organizations to hostile regional actors committed to its destruction.
“The U.S.-Israel relationship should evolve, as it has since Israel’s founding. The path forward should be guided by enduring strategic interests that have long defined the partnership — advancing American national security, ensuring Israel’s security and ability to defend itself, and creating the conditions for a secure, prosperous, and peaceful future for Israelis, Palestinians, and the broader Middle East.”