'We have been there for Israel. Every single time,' said Obama. Obama: 'I have Israel's back'

President Barack Obama aggressively defended against partisan attacks on his record of support for Israel Sunday, while also seeking to calm fears among some in the Jewish community that his administration is unwilling to use military might to confront Iran over its nuclear program.

“There should not be a shred of doubt by now: when the chips are down, I have Israel’s back,” Obama said in a morning speech to the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference in Washington.


“Over the last three years, as President of the United States, I have kept my commitments to the state of Israel. At every crucial juncture – at every fork in the road – we have been there for Israel. Every single time.”

And while Obama spoke of room for diplomacy on Iran, he also took a step towards those who have been urging him to be more explicit about the possibility of using the U.S. military to try to demolish the country’s nuclear program.

“When it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, I will take no options off the table, and I mean what I say,” Obama said in his half-hour speech. “That includes all elements of American power: A political effort aimed at isolating Iran; a diplomatic effort to sustain our coalition and ensure that the Iranian program is monitored; an economic effort that imposes crippling sanctions; and, yes, a military effort to be prepared for any contingency.”

Citing his vocal support for Israel at the United Nations, anti-missile systems the U.S. has provided to the Jewish state, and actions he ordered to help save Israeli diplomats during unrest in Egypt, Obama warned the more than 13,000 delegates gathered at the Washington Convention Center not to believe Republican claims that he’s been a less than steadfast ally of Israel.

“If, during this political season you hear some questions regarding my Administration’s support for Israel, remember that it’s not backed up by the facts. And remember that the U.S.-Israel relationship is simply too important to be distorted by partisan politics. America’s national security is too important. Israel’s security is too important,” Obama thundered.

“In the United States, our support for Israel is bipartisan, and that is how it should stay,” Obama said, drawing a standing ovation from the AIPAC leaders seated behind him and many — but not all — of the thousands in the audience.

On the dominant issue at the pro-Israel gathering — how to handle Iran’s nuclear efforts — Obama argued that his policy of toughening sanctions is producing “bite” against the regime in Tehran and should be given time to play out.

“Because of our efforts, Iran is under greater pressure than ever before,” Obama said.

“In that effort, I firmly believe that an opportunity still remains for diplomacy – backed by pressure – to succeed,” the president said to silence from the huge crowd. “The United States and Israel both assess that Iran does not yet have a nuclear weapon, and we are exceedingly vigilant in monitoring their program. Now, the international community has a responsibility to use the time and space that exists. … Iran’s leaders still have the opportunity to make the right decision.”

Even as Obama spoke more bluntly about potential U.S. military action against Iran, he cautioned that talk of an impending military strike may be counter-productive.

”Already, there is too much loose talk of war. Over the last few weeks, such talk has only benefited the Iranian government, by driving up the price of oil, which they depend upon to fund their nuclear program. For the sake of Israel’s security, America’s security, and the peace and security of the world, now is not the time for bluster,” Obama said. “Now is the time to heed the timeless advice from Teddy Roosevelt: Speak softly, but carry a big stick.”

With Israeli officials pondering their capabilities to mount a unilateral strike on Iran and some U.S. officials arguing that such a move would be premature, Obama also repeatedly underscored his support for Israel’s military autonomy.

”We will do what it takes to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge – because Israel must always have the ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat,” Obama said.

Obama said he understands that Israeli leaders view Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat, especially in view of Tehran’s belligerent rhetoric.

”No Israeli government can tolerate a nuclear weapon in the hands of a regime that denies the Holocaust, threatens to wipe Israel off the map, and sponsors terrorist groups committed to Israel’s destruction,” Obama said. “Iran’s leaders should have no doubt about the resolve of the United States, just as they should not doubt Israel’s sovereign right to make its own decisions about what is required to meet its security needs.”

Many of the doubts about Obama’s backing for Israel have been fueled by his often chilly relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is scheduled to visit Obama for talks at the White House on Monday before addressing the AIPAC gathering Monday night in prime-time. Since Obama took office, he and Netanyahu have found themselves at loggerheads on several issues, including Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Obama’s remarks last year urging that Israel’s 1967 borders be the starting point for peace talks.

Obama surprised some in the AIPAC audience Sunday by raising the thorny issue of the peace process, which many in Israel consider a dead letter.

“I make no apologies for pursuing peace. Israel’s own leaders understand the necessity of peace,” Obama said. “The changes taking place in the region make peace more important, not less.”

Several Republican presidential candidates are set to speak to the AIPAC conference Tuesday via a video link-up from the campaign trail. And just an hour or so before Obama spoke Sunday, AIPAC gave a prominent platform to a Republican broadside against Obama, unleashed by former State Department official Liz Cheney.

“There is no president who has done more to de-legitimize and undermine the state of Israel in recent history than President Obama,” Cheney declared, winning widespread cheers from the audience as she went on to predict that a new Republican president would restore the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Cheney also complained that recent comments from Obama Administration officials “have been more focused on containing Israeli action than they have been on containing Iran.”

Cheney’s remarks, delivered during a 45-minute panel discussion conducted on the main stage in front of the thousands of AIPAC delegates, prompted a forceful dissent from the Democratic member of the panel, former California Rep. Jane Harman.

“I think it is a grave mistake…to turn support of Israel into a political football, and I won’t do it,” Harman responded, drawing even louder applause from the vast audience.

Harman argued that new sanctions are taking a real toll on Iran’s economy and should be given time to work, but she also said she’d like Obama’s rhetoric on Iran to be more forceful.

“It seems to me that we should let a few more months go by to give success a chance….I think we have a few more months,” said Harman, now president of the Woodrow Wilson Center. “I would urge our president to make absolutely clear he will act — act, use the military component if he has to, to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.”

However, Cheney cautioned that U.S. intelligence about other countries’ nuclear programs has been less than reliable.

“The American track record on predicting when nations reach nuclear capability is abysmal,” Cheney said, pointing to failures regarding India, Pakistan and Iraq. “Putting the security of the United States and of Israel in the hands of American intelligence’s ability to predict the status of the Iranian nuclear program, I would say, is a very dangerous path to go down.”

Obama got a far warmer reception from Israeli President Shimon Peres, who called the president “our great friend” during a speech shortly before Obama took the stage.

“Mr. President, I know your commitment to Israel is deep and profound,” Peres shouted. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a friend in the White House.”

Peres also vowed that the U.S. and Israel are stranding side by side to confront the Iranian threat that he said “must be stopped…and will be stopped.”

“There is no space between us,” Peres said. “Our message is clear: Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon.”

Obama announced during his speech Sunday that he will award Peres the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony at the White House this spring —a move that certainly won’t hurt Obama’s support among Jewish voters.

With some in the vast crowd clearly being no fans of Obama, AIPAC organizers did their best to keep any outward signs of disagreement to a minimum during his remarks. Before the session began, huge video screens displayed large photos of AIPAC members with Obama, as well as images of Obama and Netanyahu’s meeting last fall at the United Nations.

AIPAC delegates also received a couched warning against any outbursts. “All our speakers are guests in our home,” a message on the video walls said. “Please greet them warmly."