Ever since Israel has been a nation the United States has provided the leadership. Every president down to the ages has done this in a fairly balanced way, including George Bush senior, Gerald Ford, and others including myself and Bill Clinton.
The United States and Israel have always had a unique and strong bond that can never be broken.
The special relationship between the United States and Israel still stands. Our total committments to Israel's security and our hope for peace is still preeminent among all the other considerations that our Nation has in the Middle East ... But there need be no concern among the Israeli people nor among Jews in this country that our Nation has changed or turned away from Israel.
I want you and the people of Israel to know a few things that have not and will not change. The United States stands firmly with Israel, and we have a rock solid commitment to the security of Israel and to the security of its citizens.
I'm confident President Obama will continue his unambiguous commitment to the Jewish state in his second term.
I think Democrats in Congress love Israel. Our relationship with Israel depends on a strong bipartisan relationship.
America's strong bonds with Israel are well known - this bond is unbreakable.
America has to stand by our allies. I think the tension that existed between Israel and the United States was very unfortunate.