Senator Kamala Harris Addresses 2017 AIPAC Conference

Senator Kamala Harris Addresses 2017 AIPAC ConferenceCIE+

Two months into her Senate position, Harris promised “to do everything in my power to ensure broad and bipartisan support for Israel’s security and right to self-defense.” She endorsed the 10 year, $38 billion US military aid package to Israel while strongly backing (seven years before October 2023) a two-state Palestinian-Israeli solution.”

Documents and Sources|March 28, 2017
President Trump’s Speech Recognizing Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel, 2017

President Trump’s Speech Recognizing Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel, 2017CIE+

President Trump’s proclamation to “officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel” breaks precedent. In doing so, he incurs bipartisan support in the US congress, but a flurry of criticism from analysts, diplomats and foreign leaders. In his remarks, Trump rebukes claims that he disqualified the US as a “reliable mediator” in future Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

Documents and Sources|December 6, 2017
Vice President Pence’s Speech to the Knesset, 2018

Vice President Pence’s Speech to the Knesset, 2018CIE+

Vice President Pence firmly expresses American commitments to Israel’s security and commitment to the Arab-Israeli peace process. Palestinian Authority President Abbas and other Arab officials loudly criticize the speech and refuse to meet with Pence during his Middle East visit because of earlier US promise to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Documents and Sources|January 22, 2018
2020 Trump Peace Plan for Israel and the Palestinians

2020 Trump Peace Plan for Israel and the PalestiniansCIE+

The plan builds on previous proposals for a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and contains a US-Israeli agreement that sets forth final borders for two states. The plan contains multiple prerequisites for Palestinian behavior before either the US or Israel might agree to Palestinian statehood as well as a proposed $50 economic development package to be allotted over a decade.

Documents and Sources|January 28, 2020
Israel Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s Speech to U.N. General Assembly, 2022

Israel Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s Speech to U.N. General Assembly, 2022CIE+

The focus of Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s first speech at the UN was a political weather report of Israel’s relations with Arab neighbors. He lauded Arab states for embracing Israel, hoped that Israel could move toward a two-state solution with the Palestinians, and blistered the hate spewing from Hamas and Iran; Israel he said, would not tolerate Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Documents and Sources|September 22, 2022
President Herzog, December 2022: “Bahrain’s Warm Peace With Israel: What’s Next?”

President Herzog, December 2022: “Bahrain’s Warm Peace With Israel: What’s Next?”CIE+

President Isaac Herzog visited Manama, Bahrain, his fourth trip to a Middle Eastern country in 2022 (Abu Dhabi in January, Istanbul in March, Amman in June and Sharm el-Sheikh in November), all aimed at bolstering bilateral relations with Arab states. Talks in Bahrain focused on expanding trade and sharing, among others, Israeli solar and desalination technologies.

Documents and Sources|December 4, 2022