In December of 2019, United States President Donald Trump delivered a keynote address at an annual summit hosted by the Israeli-American Council at the Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, Florida. As reported by C-SPAN, topics covered in the President’s speech include relations between the United States and Israel, relations with Iran, immigration, the economy, and job creation.
“The IAC National Summit 2020 brings together a diverse group of thousands of Israeli-Americans, Jewish Americans, and Israelis for critical dialogue, and inspiring sessions as part of an event that shapes the Jewish communal conversation, year after year,” the organization’s website explains. “One of the most high-profile and largest gatherings in the Jewish world, the IAC National Summit features change makers and thought leaders across a range of fields, from business and philanthropy, to education, language and community building, technology, and social change.”
Excerpts from the speech follow. For a full transcript of the speech, click here to be redirected to the main site for the White House.
Now, it’s truly my honor to be here this evening to celebrate our progress to deepen the incredible partnership between the United States and Israel. And it suffered very gravely in the last administration. I don’t know if you know that. So many of you voted for people in the last administration. Someday you’ll have to explain that to me, because I don’t think they liked Israel too much. I’m sorry. I don’t think they liked Israel too much.
After eight long years in which our alliance was undermined and neglected, I am happy to report that the United States-Israeli relationship is stronger now than ever before.
America and Israel are woven together by history, heritage, and the hearts of our people. We share a love of freedom, democracy, religious liberty, the rule of law, and national sovereignty. And we share that.
The story of Israel is a tale of triumph in the face of centuries of oppression and persecution. The Jewish people endured, persevered, and flourished beyond measure, building a thriving, proud, beautiful, and mighty nation in the Holy Land.
The friendship between our countries is essential to achieving a more safe, just, and peaceful world. That is why every single day since I took the Oath of Office, I have stood firmly, strongly, and proudly with the people of Israel. You know that.
The Jewish State has never had a better friend in the White House than your President, Donald J. Trump. That, I can tell you. For over 20 years, every previous President promised to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. And they never acted, they never did it. They never had any intention of doing it, in my opinion.
But unlike other politicians, I kept my promises. Two years ago this week, I officially recognized Israel’s true and eternal capital, and we opened the American Embassy in Jerusalem, finally.
(Full transcript available at the WhiteHouse.gov link above)
Written by Erin Parfet
