President Bush: The American Jewish Committee is "A Great Champion of Religious Liberty Worldwide"

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 4 May 2001

President George W. Bush last night applauded the American Jewish Committee as a "great champion of religious liberty worldwide," as he declared in his first speech to a national Jewish organization his steadfast support for Israel's security and quest for peace.

"My administration will be steadfast in supporting Israel against terrorism and violence, and in seeking the peace for which all Israelis pray," President Bush told the 95th Annual Dinner of the American Jewish Committee.

"A top foreign policy priority of my administration is the safety and security of Israel," he said. "We will stand up for our friends in the world. And one of the most important friends is the State of Israel."

The President, who earlier in the day met with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres after the foreign minister addressed the AJC conference, expressed his admiration for the new Israeli Prime Minister. Ariel Sharon is "a man who knows how to keep his word and that's important when it comes to foreign diplomacy."

The President singled out for criticism several Middle East countries, in particular Iran, Iraq and Sudan, for violating basic religious liberties, mentioning "Iran systematically maltreats Jews."

"Over the years Washington's rejection of religious bigotry has matured from a foundation of our domestic politics into a guiding doctrine of our foreign policy," said the President. "The American Jewish Committee deserves a special credit for this progress."

"You were among the very first groups to support the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Formed to resist anti-Semitic persecution in czarist Russia, the American Jewish Committee has emerged as a great champion of religious liberty worldwide," he said.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org