Israeli Leaders in Washington: Reports from the AIPAC Conference

In an address to the AIPAC conference today, Israeli President Shimon Peres said that "the current Israeli government seeks peace and will honor Jerusalem's previous commitments as they relate to the peace process with the Palestinians." 

Peres is due to meet with President Obama tomorrow. 

Click here for Shimon Peres' speech.

Opposition chairwoman Tzippi Livni spoke at the conference yesterday and said that "time was not on Israel's side. If the future of the Jewish people in its homeland is important to us, the leadership must act courageously and responsibly and not disregard the correct decisions." 

Israel Radio reports:

Livni reiterated her support for the principle of two states for two peoples. The opposition chairwoman emphasized that it was necessary to promote the peace process, but at the same time to combat terror uncompromisingly. On the issue of Iran, Livni said that there was no opposition in Israel, and that all political parties were united in the recognition that Iran and its nuclear program endangered the entire world, and Israel in particular.

Michael Oren, Israel's  just appointed ambassador to Washington, also spoke.

Tal Schneider reports in Ma'ariv:

Oren, who addressed the AIPAC conference in Washington yesterday, also attended a discussion about Israel's neighborly relations with Egypt and Jordan. He reiterated his support for the idea of a unilateral withdrawal, notwithstanding the opposition of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to that idea. That said, when he was asked to describe his position on the matter in detail, Oren refused.

Oren also touched on the Iranian issue, and said: "Israel will not remain passive when a regime threatens to wipe it off the map and then takes action to obtain the means to do so."

Today, Bradley Burston addresses Oren in Ha'aretz. On his blog Mondoweiss, Philip Weiss reports from the AIPAC conference.