Clinton pledges support for Israel, close eye on Iran

Hillary Clinton vowed Monday to stand with Israel, including by making sure Iran abides by its promise not to build nuclear bombs.

“The alliance between the United States and Israel is more important than ever in this time of terrorism and turmoil,” the Democratic presidential candidate said at the Waukee headquarters of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. "…That has to be understood to be in our national interest – to have an Israel that remains a bastion of stability and a core ally in a region in chaos. An Israel strong enough to deter its enemies and strong enough to take steps in pursuit of peace.”

Clinton, speaking to about 150 people in a small auditorium, stressed her experience as secretary of state and as a U.S. senator. She didn’t mention her main Democratic rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, but she alluded to her sales pitch as a more broadly experienced candidate. “We need a president who understands and can do all parts of the job,” she said.

She spoke at length about the recent agreement with Iran, under which sanctions are being lifted in return for that country’s pledge to reverse its moves toward building nuclear bombs. Clinton helped start the negotiations, and she supports the agreement, which has been criticized by some Israeli and Jewish leaders as too weak.

A reflective Clinton explains her faith to voters

Clinton said she voted for strong U.S. sanctions against Iran when she was a senator. “I voted for every sanction we could imagine against Iran. Not just oil and gas, but pistachios. Everything. We went after them,” she said. But to make such sanctions stick, the U.S. needed cooperation from other countries, she said. She touted her subsequent efforts as secretary of state to unite world powers behind crippling sanctions, which finally made Iran bargain away its nuclear program.

Clinton said the U.S. now needs to take a “distrust and verify” stance toward enforcing the agreement with Iran. She also said she disagrees with some activists pushing for boycotts and divestment from Israel because of its treatment of Palestinians. She called the effort to portray Israel as similar to apartheid South Africa is “offensive and unacceptable.”

West Des Moines voter Bobbi Khalastchi said before the speech that she was leaning toward caucusing for Clinton but was concerned the candidate wasn’t strong enough on supporting Israel. Afterward, Khalastchi said Clinton “sealed the deal.” The retired teacher said Clinton was appropriately firm about Israel and also spoke well on many other issues, including education and family leave. Clinton’s broad experience shined through, she said. “She’s so articulate. She didn’t stumble over anything.”

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The Des Moines Register's Iowa Poll consistently finds that 2 percent or fewer of likely Democratic caucus-goers identify themselves as Jewish, poll director Ann Selzer said Monday. But Jewish people retain a powerful voice in national politics.

Steve Adelman, a Des Moines physician who watched the speech, said American Jews historically supported mainly Democrats, though that has started to shift. “A lot of them think Republicans have Israel’s back better, which I don’t agree with,” said Adelman, who plans to caucus for Clinton. He said she needs to continue talking about her strong views and the depth of her knowledge about the Mideast.

AT THE EVENT

SETTING: A small auditorium at the Waukee headquarters of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. The stage was adorned with seven U.S. flags and one Israeli flag. 

CROWD: About 150.

REACTION: The crowd mostly listened politely, but it applauded several times, including for her calls to accept carefully screened Syrian refugees and to have Americans model “more respect, more love, more tolerance.” She received a standing ovation at the end of her hour-long appearance.

OTHER STOPS: Clinton was to speak later Monday in Knoxville and Oskaloosa before appearing in a CNN forum at Drake University Monday evening.

WHAT'S NEXT: Clinton plans to campaign vigorously in Iowa for the next week.