AIPAC SPEECH 2013 – MINISTER OF DEFENSE - EHUD BARAK • Thank you for such a warm welcome. • What an indescribable feeling to be surrounded by so many true friends in the capital of the world's greatest democracy. • Members of the Administration, Members of Congress, distinguished ambassadors, especially our ambassador Michael Oren…. Michael, Rosey, Bob, David, Howard and Richard, AIPAC members… older and young… • Good evening to you all. • It is your toil and your graft – your unwavering support – that keep us safe. • I have six humble words for all of you: Thank you, thank you, thank you. • I would like to express my personal appreciation to President Obama and Secretary Panetta for their resolute backing of Israel. • History will surely record your immeasurable contribution to the strength of Israel, and the maintenance of the truly special relationship between our peoples. • On behalf of the people of Israel, I wish Secretary Hagel all the best in his new role. • As Secretary of Defense he will, no doubt, serve his country with the same pride and honor with which he served, both on the battlefield and in Congress. • It is great to see so many young activists here. Thank you for your energetic commitment to Israel! • A commitment which is so lucidly dictated by the head… yet so deeply underpinned by the heart… • Keep it up – you are the future! ************************************ • It is thanks to the rock solid US-Israel relationship, alongside the devotion of the young men and women of the IDF, that our capacity to defend ourselves, has been guaranteed for years to come! • With US support, combined with the ingenuity of our scientists; Israel finds itself at the cutting edge of missile defense technology. • The ‘Iron Dome’ recently intercepted over 400 incoming terrorist rockets. Practically – this is like hitting a bullet… with a bullet! • Just last week, we – the US and Israel – conducted a