Collectively, we are determined to do something about it. I think people need to understand that there is a variety of terror groups in syria. A monolith, but some have expressed the desire to train fighters in syria to attract attack the west. Whether that will happen or not, it is a threat of people being radicalized here and moving to syria to conduct terror acts s. Is that correct . We need to do our best to pay close attention to an evolving situation. Are talking about radicalization, you are very careful in the way you talked about it. We have excerpts experts in the audience love studied radicalization carefully. One of the think that some of us try to do in congress was to create a Multidisciplinary Commission to advise congress on what the hallmarks are of someone who has radical views which are protected by our constitution turning into someone who is prepared to engage in violent action. We have to find a nexus. We were not able to pass legislation. At the last minute it became controversial, at least in my view. A hallmark of somebodys homegrown, lone wolf type is that they have clean records. They have not committed violent acts before. Many of them are on the internet, looking at site to teach them how to build bombs. The Boston Marathon bombers use the internet. There is a lot on the internet. Some of them also intersect people, either in our country or abroad. Many people think that it takes human intervention be the internet to radicalized someone. You said this is a focus. How should the american public, which is listening to you right now, think about this . Convey the answer to that question in my remarks. And state andment local governments and First Responders unemployed for six and local communities Law Enforcement in local communities needs to be vigilant. We are building those relationships. Because of the nature of what we are talking about, we risk going too far. We risk breeding suspicion, fear, among people who are different. That is the purpose of the last point in my remarks. If you are charged with thinking , whethereland security you or me or the state adviser to the governor, or a police commissioner, you can build walls, you can build something that is so secure that you make everybody paranoid. Youa price people of deprive people of basic privacy and freedom that this country is all about. We cannot do that. This is a balance. It is a delicate balance. Do we have it right . Probably not. I think that a basic responsibility for those of us charged with Homeland Security and law and is not an National Security is defined that right balance and be sensitive to it. Far and there are instances in the history of this government where we have done that. We need to be mindful of not sensitive to it. In my opening remarks i commanded you for your speech. You spoke about guantanamo and drones. It was a courageous act. I was not government. [laughter] i am glad you are back. You said, as you close your speech, we cannot sacrifice our values as a nation. We need to ask more questions and expect more answers. We should not make suspicious that people suspicious of each other at the cost of the nation. Not believe that it is not to take out bad guys. Sometimes we must do that. Very courageous people have very carefully try to do that. But in the end, we have to win the argument went something in boonies or in the an innercity america is trying to decide whether to drop a Pressure Cooker bob along a marathon. If we do not win that argument, there will be more people growing up against us. That is a metaphor that we once used. Do you agree with that . Like i do. I do. With ouro be sensitive those whoot breeding want to do harm against americans faster than we can take them out. One of the things that we will do and i think we have begun this process, one of the things that we will do in this administration is to develop ideas for how we can address this issue in the homeland. We need to be sensitive to the fact that there are people who live in this country, but they hate this country. They have various different reasons. They want to do harm to others who feel disenchanted, disassociated, disconnected. They are influenced by forces beyond our control. We need to try to address that audiences the way or another to get that this exact issue. To, and i know others want to begin thinking about this issue. We have Party Started developing ideas. Speaking personally, i commend that thought. I want to underscore the last part of the last sentence of your speech where you said, we are a nation of people who cherish freedom, celebrate diversity, and carrier flights of the olympics. We are not afraid. Statement of our values for this country is a big piece of your job. Ofyou are to become the face warnings about the terror threat, it will be wonderful if you are also the face of reassurance. Our country will survive this and we will be resilient. Tonow you said you are going boston on the anniversary of the marathon bombings. There is a place where i watched proudly as an american. A horrible thing happened, but a community pulled together quickly. It never lost its drive. We did not do it well in 9 11, but we did it that well with boston. I would hope that those are lessons we can learn. Not just we the people listening to you on the outside, but many former members of government. We can learn that the department of Homeland Security can teach and can help inspire others to teach. Eventd like to close this which i think has been a wonderful honor. It has been an example of the kinds of things we do here. I did not mention that john brennan, when he was the counterterrorism adviser in the white house, asked to come here to speak for the first time about the u. S. Government. I was sitting right there. It was a wonderful event. Event, letose this me just offer you the last word. Any last thoughts you may have. As a safety white house, parting shots. Thank you again for your leadership. Thank you for bringing me here. Thank you for your mentorship and support. This is a terrific organization. A is educational and it is place for thoughtful, intelligent discussion. And it is not partisan. When you talk about National Security, it should not be partisan. I believe that fervently. Thank you for the terrific work that you do here. I am sure i will see you again. I thank you. As i have said for years, the will not check our Party Registration before they. As anyou for coming here american to talk about a challenge that america faces. And a department that wants to be better at keeping us a. Safe. [applause] on the next washington journal, New York Times economic reporter Nelson Schwartz talks about the role of the middle class. Then a usa today Crime Reporter looks at hair when and Substance Abuse heroin and Substance Abuse. Your calls and facebook, and on seized and. Cspan. In many ways we focus on the challenge around attacking credit cards protecting credit cards and debit cards. The exposures that people can get into our bank account or Online Transactions that we all do. Area where there are very few protections and almost unlimited liability. In todays interconnected world, are still information is collected from consumers wherever they go. From the workplace to shop into groceries to browsing the web at home, virtually every action we take involves the collection of information. Some of it is very sensitive. Many of these uses have clear benefits. The recent data breaches are a strong reminder that they create risks for consumers. Sometimes we are out ahead in determining and looking at data as it relates to Financial Industries. It is through partnerships that we have in the Financial Industries store a sector that we can go through data and be able to find out where information is leaking into the criminal underground. Some journalists are able to get that information. This weekend on cspan, data breaches and cyber theft. Lawmakers look at legislative options to secure snow data. Personal data. Bush,ashington to cspan2. American history tv. Travel back 150 years to find out how can enter as older is spent the winter of 1864. That is live on saturday at 1 00 a. M. These stop president obama signed the farm bill today at an event hosted by michigans the university. It is projected to save millions of dollars over the next decade. If and Crop Insurance programs. It also cut 8 billion from the exam program. Democratic lawmakers join the president at the event. This is about 40 minutes. [applause] thank you, thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. We got it done. [applause] it is so wonderful to be back at home. We have the 2014 rose bowl champs. That is for you and the whole team. I am so proud that the president of the United States understands what we understand about agricultural research. The Land Grant University system, agriculture and Rural America. The fact that this president would come here to sign this landmark bill, thank you president barack obama. [applause] i want to thank a very key person in part here who we now have handed off this bill to. We are so proud that our United States secretary of agriculture, tom vilsack is with us today. [applause] i want to thank my partners. Ranking members, my partner in senate. It in the senator cochran, this truly was a bipartisan effort. I also want to thank my staff involved. I have the best agriculture staff on the hill. Thank you very much. [applause] i hope you will also join me in thanking colleagues who are here today who are so important to this process. Our great senior senator carl levin and gary peters, we thank them. [applause] our president pro tem of the United States senate, former chair of the committee, patrick leahy. [applause] the senior senator from minnesota, amy klobuchar, congresswoman from ohio and chair of the Congressional Black Congress of the Congressional Black Caucus marcia fudge. [applause] and the congressman from texas. We are so glad you are here. This is a bipartisan jobs bill that makes sure 16 Million People who worked in agriculture from michigan to mississippi to ohio to texas and everywhere in between have the support they need to provide food for all of us. What you may not know is this is an export bill that will help extend opportunities. It is one of the few areas we have a trade surplus. This is a Research Bill that will allow us to find solutions to past disease issues and innovation for the future. This is also an energy bill. It will also create the next generation of biofuels and help farmers and Small Businesses generate their own power to improve Energy Efficiency and improve the cost of business. There is a bio digester up in fremont about two hours northwest of here that we helped support through rural development. I was there in 2011 for the groundbreaking and then again in 2012 for the grand opening. And they are taking leftover vegetables and waste from the gerber baby food plant down the road and they are mixing it with lovely livestock many were. Manure. Theyre they are creating methane gas that powers homes. That is part of our future. [applause] biobased manufacturing, Michigan State again a leader that allows us to take soy oil and make car seat foam rather than petroleum so youre sitting on soybeans and we are creating new markets and creating new opportunities through biobased manufacturing area this is a bill that will help Rural Businesses get Broadband Internet access so they can get new customers in every part of michigan and across the country and be more competitive. In fact, in the last bill, over 5 billion was developed in energy development. This is a conservation bill that helps farmers, partner with them to protect our land and water resources. Folks may not know that the largest investment that we make in land to Water Conservation in the country is through what we call the farm bill. This is how we partner with people who own land. [applause] and we have a wonderful, new partnership for the future. A historic new agreement between agriculture and conservation groups that ties conservation compliance with Crop Insurance so we are able to use the best possible new tools, management practices, and guarantees our farmers and ranchers to continue to be the great stewards of the land they are. This is a nutrition bill that makes sure families have a safety net like farmers do. The savings came solely from interrupting fraud and misuse while maintaining the important benefits for families who need temporary health. Help. We are bringing more healthy, locally grown foods into communities to food coops and farmers markets. This is a deficit reduction bill that saves taxpayers 22 billion. 2. 5 years ago we started out and committed that we would cut 23 billion in spending. 2. 5 years later we did. [applause] this is a reform bill that contains the greatest reforms to agricultural programs in decades. We finally ended direct payment subsidies given to farmers even in good times and instead of supporting families farmers with Risk Management tools so that no one loses the farm because of bad weather or market conditions. We have seen what happens and continues to happen in the weather. A blizzard killed 100,000 cows in north dakota. In michigan, 80 degree weather in march. Trees that it was spring but it was not. It got cold again and cherry farmers lost 90 of the crop. In california we are seeing the driest winter on record and most of the state is suffering from extreme or exceptional drought. Farming is the risk is business there is. No other business has to worry about those issues as to whether or not theyre going to survive. We are lucky that we still have americans willing to get up every morning and work hard and take on the challenges of the weather in the marketplace to produce our food. [applause] im proud this farm bill is focused on the future, not the past. This bill is taking a critical step towards changing the paradigm of agriculture and supported by more than 370 groups from all over the country and every perspective, many people representing those groups and we are so grateful for your support. It has been a long road. We were worked hard to make sure every region of agriculture, every form of agriculture from specialty crocs crops are represented. I want to thank my colleagues and my family who are here today who have heard meet talk about this bill for an awfully long time. My daughter and her family, my son and the three most beautiful grandchildren in the entire world. [laughter] [applause] thanks to a lot of hard work we have arrived at a farm bill that works every american. Families will continue to have the safest, most affordable food supply and we will strengthen agriculture and Rural America for years to come. Thanks much for being there. [applause] hello. Thank you so much. Everyone please have a seat. Thank you ben. How did dad do, was a pretty good . There he is. I thought he did great. It is good to be in east lansing. It is good to be with all of you here today. I am here because i have heard about all the great things that youre doing and i want to thank the mayor and president simon for hosting us. Im also here to do some scouting on my brackets. [applause] i just talked to the coach. The spartans are pretty good looking pretty good. They had some injuries. The coach, he always paces so that you peak right at the tournament. That is a fact. [applause] i got a chance to meet mark dantonio. You have got a Rose Bowl Victory you guys, you are greedy. [laughter] you want to win everything. It is wonderful to be here. I love coming to michigan. Mainly i love coming to michigan because of people. I also love coming here because there are few places in the country that better symbolize what we have been through together over these last four or five years. The American Auto industry has always been the heartbeat of the michigan economy and the heart of American Manufacturing so when that heartbeat was flatlining emma we all pulled together, all of us, autoworkers who punched in on the line, management who made tough decisions to restructure, elected officials like gary peters and mark scheier who believe that rescuing americas most iconic industry was the right thing to do. And today thanks to your great and ingenuity and dogged determination, the American Auto industrys engines are roaring again and we are building the best cars in the world again and some plants a running three shifts around the clock. Something that nobody wouldve imagined just a few years ago. [applause] i just had lunch with detroits new mayor, mike duggan. [applause] he told me if there is one thing he wants anybody to know it is that detroit is open for business and i have great confidence that he is going to provide the leadership that you need. Really proud of him. [applause] the point is, we have all had to buckle down. We have all had to work hard, we have had to fight our way back east past five years and in a lot of ways, we are now in better positioned better positioned for the 21st century than anybody on earth. We learned this morning that our businesses in the private sector created more than 140,000 jobs last month adding up to about eight point 5 million jobs over the last four years. 8. 5 million jobs over the last four years. [applause] unemployment is the lowest it has been since i was first elected. Companies across the country are saying they will say hire more folks in the days ahead. This is why i can believe this will be a breakthrough year for america. I have come here to sign a bill that hopefully means folks in washington feel the same way. The set of wasting time creating crises that impede the economy, were going to have a congress that is ready to spend some time creating new jobs and new opportunities and positioning us for the future and making sure our young people can take advantage of that future. That is important because even though our economy has been growing for four years now, even though we have been adding jobs for four years now, what is still true, something that was true before the financial crisis and is still true today is that those at the very top of the economic care med are doing better than ever. But the average americans wages, salaries, incomes, have not risen in a very long time. A lot of americans are working harder and harder just to get by, much less get ahead area that has been true since long before the financial crisis and the great recession. So we have got to reverse those trends. Have got to build an economy that works for buddy, not just a few. We have to restore the idea of opportunity for all people, the idea that no matter who you are what you look like or where you came from, how you started out, what your last name is, you can make it if you want to work hard and take responsibility. That is the idea of the heart of this country, that is what is at stake and that is what we have got to work on. [applause] the opportunity agenda i laid out in my state of the Union Address will help us do that. It is an agenda built around for parts, number one, more new jobs. American manufacturing and energy and american innovation. American technology. A lot of what youre doing here at Michigan State helps to spur on that innovation in all sorts of areas that can then be commercialized into new industries and to create new jobs. Number two, training folks with the skills to fill those jobs. Something this institution does very well. Number three, guaranteeing access to a worldclass education for every child, not just some. [applause] that has to be a priority. That means before they even start school, we are working on prek that is highquality and get people prepared and take some of the way through college so they can afford it and beyond. Therefore, making sure our economy rewards honest work with wages you can live on. And savings you can retire on. And, yes, Health Insurance that is there for you when you need it. [applause] some of this opportunity agenda i put forward will require congressional action. It is true. As i said at the state of the union, america does not stand still, neither will i. That is why over the past two weeks i have taken steps without legislation, without congressional action to expand opportunity for more families. We have created a new way for workers to start their own retirement savings, we have helped to make sure all of our students have highspeed rock band and hightech learning tools that they need for this new economy. I have also said i am eager to work with Congress Wherever i can. The truth of the matter is America Works better when we are working together and congress controls the Purse Strings at the federal level and a lot of the things we need to do require congressional action and that is why i could not be prouder of our leaders who are here today. In particular, could be could not be prouder of your own Debbie Stabinow for her extraordinary work. [applause] we all love debbie for a lot of reasons. She has been a huge champion of American Manufacturing, but shepherded through this farm bill which was very challenging piece of business. She worked with republican senator thad cochran who was constructive in this process. We have representatives frank lucas working with collin peterson. We have a terrific contribution from our own secretary of agriculture, tom bill zack vilsack, who deserves a round of applause. Congress passed a bipartisan farm bill that is going to make a big difference in communities all across this country. I want to recognize one of your congressman who is doing outstanding an outstanding job. And somebody who was just a wonderful mentor to me who was when i was in the senate, a great Public Servant not just for your state but for the entire country. Carl levin. He is always out there especially when it comes to our men and women in uniform. We are very proud of him. [applause] while were at it we have a couple of outoftowners. Pat leahy from vermont. There are a lot of dairy farms up there. And from minnesota. All that cold air is blowing from minnesota down into despite its name, the the farm bill is not just about helping farmers. Secretary bill sacked calls it a jobs bill, and innovation bill. And infrastructure build. A Research Bill. A conservation bill. It is like a swiss army knife. It is like mike trout, for those of you who know baseball. Somebody whos got a lot of tools and multitasks. It is creating more good jobs, gives more americans a shot at opportunity and there are two big ways in which it does so. The farm bill lifts up our Rural Communities. Over the past five years thanks to the hard work and knowhow of americas farmers, we have had the strongest stretch of farm exports in our history. When i am traveling around the world, i am promoting american agriculture and as a consequence, we are selling more stuff to more people than ever before. It supports one million jobs, what we grow here and what we sell. It is a huge boost to the entire economy but especially the rural economy. Here at Michigan State your helping us to do more. I just got her to her of a facility where you are working with local businesses to produce renewable fuels. Your helping Farmers Group cops that are healthier and more resistant to disease. Some students are raising their own piglets on an organic farm. When i was in college i lived in a pigsty. I did not work in one. I am impressed by that. [laughter] that is no joke, by the way. Your hygiene improved as you get older. So we are seeing some big advances in american agriculture and today i am directing my administration to launch a new maiden role America Initiative to help more Rural Businesses expand and hire and some were product stamped made in the usa to the rest of the world because we have great products here that need to be sold and we can do even more to sell around the world. [applause] but even with all this progress, too many Rural Americans are still struggling. Right now, 85 of counties experience what is called resistant poverty. Ohs are in rural areas. Before i was elected i represented illinois, home of a couple of your big ten rivals but also a big farming state. Over the years, i have seen how hard it can be to be a farmer. There are a lot of big producers who are doing really well but there are even more small farms, family farms where folks are scratching out a living. And increasingly vulnerable to difficulties in financing and all the inputs involved. Farmers sometimes having to work off the farm. They have got a couple of jobs outside the farm just to get health care to pay the bills, trying to keep it in the family, it is hard for Young Farmers to get started. And in these Rural Communities, a lot of young people talk about how jobs are so scarce even before the recession hit that they feel like they have to leave in order to have opportunity. They cannot stay at home. They have to leave. That is why this farm bill includes things like Crop Insurance so that when a disaster like the record drought we are seeing across much of the west hits our farmers, they do not lose her thing they have worked so hard to build. It invests in hospitals and schools, affordable housing, broadband infrastructure, all the things that help attract more businesses and make life easier for working families. This bill supports businesses working to develop cuttingedge biofuels like some of the work that is being done here. That has potential to create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It boosts conservation efforts so that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy places like the Mississippi River valley and chesapeake bay. It supports local food by investing in things like farmers markets and organic agriculture which is making my wife very happy. When michelle is happy, i do not know about everybody being happy but i know i am happy. [laughter] [applause] and so it is giving smaller producers, local reducers, folks like ben the opportunity to sell more of their products directly without a bunch of processing and middlemen that make it harder for them to achieve. People will have healthier diets which will reduce the incidence of Childhood Obesity and keep us healthier and saves money. This does it while reforming our agricultural programs. Whether they were planning crops are not. It saves taxpayers hardearned dollars. It is not just automatic. The first thing this farm bill does, it helps Rural Communities grow and gives farmers some certainty. It puts in place important reforms. The second thing this farm bill does that is huge that make sure that americas children do not go hungry. This is where debbies work was really important. One study shows that more than half of all americans will experience poverty at some point during their adult lives. For most folks, that is when you are young and you are eating ramen all the time. For most families it is a crisis hits, you lose your job, somebody gets sick emma strains on your budget, you have a strong work ethic but it might take you six months, nine months, year to find a job. In the meantime, you have got families to feed. That is why for half a century this country has helped americans put food on the table when they hit a rough patch. Or when they are working hard and are not making enough money to feed their kids. They are not looking for a handout. Theyre looking for a handout. A bridge to help get them through tough times. [applause] we sure do not believe that children should be punished when parents are having a tough time. The country is stronger wont when we get families back on their feet. That is the idea behind what is known as the supplemental the attrition Assistance Program or snap. A large majority of recipients are children or the elderly or americans with disabilities. A lot of others are hardworking americans who need just a little help feeding their families while they look for job or. Theyre trying to find a better one. In 2012 the program kept nearly 5 Million People including more than 2 million children out of poverty. Think about that. 5 Million People. That is why my position has been that any bill i sign must protect families. This bill does that. By giving americans more bang for their buck at places like farmers markets, we are making it easier for working families to eat Healthy Foods and we are supporting farmers like ben who make their living growing. We are creating new markets for produce farmers and it means that people have a chance to directly by from their farmers the kind of food that is going to keep them healthy. A lot of folks go through tough times at some point in their lives. That doesnt mean they should go hungry. Not in a country like america. Investing in the communities that grow our food, helping hardworking americans put that food on the table, that is what this farm bill does. Well reducing our deficits. The leaders all feel the same way but it is a good time that democrats and republicans in congress were ready to come through with this bill and break the cycle in shortsighted partisan driven decisionmaking and get this done. It is a good sign. [applause] that is the way you should expect washington to work. We have more work to do. We have more work to do to potentially make sure that Unemployment Insurance is put in place for a lot of folks out there who need it. We have more work to pass them minimum wage and to do Immigration Reform which will help farmers like ben. Lets keep the momentum going here. In the weeks ahead, congress while congress is deciding what next what is next, i am doing every thing i can to strengthen the middle class and build ladders of opportunity in the middle class and i am sure that congress will join me because that is what you are looking for out of your elected officials at every level. God bless you. I am now going to sign this farm bill. [applause] down in front. I want to announce that marge [inaudible] is here. She does great work out of the great state of ohio. Everybody can see . No. The cameras cannot see. Down in front. [inaudible] this is good work. On going to use every pen. I am going to use every pen. There you go. [applause] [stars and stripes forever playing] clarks visit of the u. S. Senate. John walsh will be a point to to fill the seat vacated by another senator who is leaving after being confirmed as ambassador to china. Lieutenant governor wallace was elected in 2012 he was a Brigadier General in the Montana National guard. 1990aduated college in before receiving a graduate degree in 1990 of. 1997. Kentucky senator rand paul is our guest on newsmakers. He discusses his potential run will alsont old he talk about kentucky politics and immigration are. Here is a brief look. Client the senate bill is not the right bill. I am for immigration or. Be more to theld liking of republicans in the house. I told him to come to me and work with me. I will help you create a bill that will be acceptable to republicans for top nobody came to me with any compromise. I could not hope for a build i do not think will work. He pointed out that there are many inside and outside republican parties who argue that if nothing is done to address immigration, the Republican Party will write off the whole hispanic vote. They will eventually with her. The other side of that argument is just as interesting. Say, if we have comprehensive Immigration Reform, we will destroy the party. You will have a generation of hispanic voters eternity democrats. Do they have a point . You can look at it another way and say, will democrats destroy their affinity of hispanic voters for democrats if they are unwilling to compromise. There are many republicans, there is a majority, who for expanding work visas. They want to come out of the shower shadows. They do not want to be fearful to be seen in the daylight. They can get legitimate jobs and pay taxes. It stopped short of the citizenship aston. That is a question that democrats are unwilling to compromise on. Hispanic voters say, why wont you go halfway . Say thatispanic voters they do not want to vote because they did not get everything they wanted. You can tell that there is some division on this. Most are in favor of normalizing the existence. You will find a significant percentage of his voters are not adamant that they would try to take that in the right direction. Pauls watch all of rand remarks on newsmakers. Here it is been. My a look at the status of the israelipalestinian Peace Process and what is at stake for the parties involved. The speakers include arthur and to former u. S. Ambassador to the middle east region. From the middle east institute, this is just over one hour. We are very fortunate to be hosting three acres love just returned from i hope three speakers who have just returned from a trip to israel. The trip was sponsored by the foundation for middle east peace. For those of you are not familiar, it was established in 1999 to promote 1979 to promote a solution to the conflict. The president led the trip. And aing Board Chairman board member arthur hughes. They have decades and decades of experience working on this very thorny issue of the crisis. We are hoping to hear some revelations today. Their trip to the region comes at an interesting time. Secretary kerry is making very dogged efforts to keep the Peace Process going. On their trip, they got a better sense of where things are. Progress is being made. We look forward to hearing her observations. Briefly, because their bios are in your handouts, one of the guests has served as assistant director to affairs in egypt in tel aviv. He has held many posts in the state department. He was the director general of the egyptian multinational effort. Theone of our guest was general consul to jerusalem. Their time is short. , have invited another person an arabisraeli expert, jeff aronson. Does the monthly report on israeli settlements. He will respond to speakers and pose a few questions thank you for your time. It is a real privilege to have you here. Before we get started, i want to knowledge another person who is coming soon. George salem. Hes a board member. He has been very active in washington circles. He had advocated a solution to the conflict. Foundationem family has made it this is our sixth panel in the series and i just want to st. George for her support. I inviteurther ado, the professor to the podium. [applause] thank you. Looking at my friends in the oneonta reminds me that we had been involved in this peace 10 one since kilometer and september 1973. It doesnt get any easier. We believe this would be a good time to visit the area and try to understand the situation on the ground. I will give a brief overview. We spend four days in jerusalem, two in tel aviv during which we met with a variety of americans, israelis, and palestinians. For the most part, unofficial, but very knowledgeable. The off the record personal attack by the Israeli Defense secretary of state john kerry provided the background for those few days. He brought for lunch with the faculty. We met oneonone and with groups. It was a fascinating, intensive week. During the first part of the a dearth ofwas details or even informed speculation on what specifically john kerry had in mind. They took seriously his request that they keep the discussion secret. However, there was a general assumption that his ultimate would be based on the socalled clinton parameters. The general view was that john kerry would fail, netanyahu would not risk his position or his government by putting forward compromise proposals. There. H optimism the one senior plo official was openly frustrated that they were the only ones who knew what was going on. They were pushing for palestinian plan b, go back to he u. N. In the context of ignorance, much context can be paid to personality. F his would he stay the course . Would obama support him . Later in the week, several that impacted on the nature of our discussions in tel aviv with israelis. Tom friedman wrote his oped in the New York Times purporting to framework rry kerry free mark. Then netanyahu and the settlor they had ainet separation of the palestinian. Tate quoted as telling u. S. Jewish leaders that the bulk of the settlers would remain in israel in any settlement. One culmination of this combination of fact is is that they began to wonder if perhaps netanyahu might be willing to take some political risks. We did not have the opportunity to discuss these events with palestinians. Of products produced , those ads for you super bowl fans, and the disinvestment of banks operating was allettlements, it having an impact on the israeli. Ublic and on the body politic john kerrys warning about the possibility for isolation helped bring this pot to a boil. Tom friedman reporting from ramallah dedicated to this. Ubject Angela Merkel is considered israels best friend in europe and will be important in this respect. For the millions of israeli jews, this is the bustling part. F the israeli economy there are Serious Problems that by a law. Solved a quick word about the broader picture. Israels treaty with egypt and jordan are holding firm. They appreciate egypts efforts control the militants through the sinai. It seemed to be missing or at least they are invisible factors in the current equation. Jordan has an obvious interest in jerusalem which has its own special set of problems. The treaties are in good shape. Politically, economically, dwarfsily, a giant among. It looks like a good time to make peace from a position of pipeace. Ble im not exactly been a beacon of optimism in recent years terrible one this hundredyearold conflict. That this week i have sensed a ray of hope. It is because of john kerrys diplomacy which coincides with other trends that may just lead to a way out of this tragedy. Israels secular elite are to speak out and be more conscious of the threats facing the state of israel. For the first time, they have begun to do something about it. That coincides with what looks like a revival of the liberal, pragmatic, peace minded countries. The labour party has shifted from reluctance to even mention the territorial issue, the future of the security, but they are doing so now. John kerry has energized a between the Israeli Center and left. It does not represent the citizens asisraeli they have taken the lead and. Eized the initiative the polls show 74 of the israeli people and indeed the Palestinian People still want a peace. State the problem is they do not think it is possible. John kerrys diplomacy is beginning to arouse hopes for peace. Perhaps more on the israeli side than the palestinian because they are still in deep despair but they are sticking to the. Olicy of nonviolence public rhetoric, abbas has been far more conciliatory than Benjamin Netanyahu and his colleagues. ,he threat of sanctions especially the European Union sanctions on all European Union , havee and public flows had a real effect in that has shocked the business community. Calledve created a group breaking the impasse . There is also the israeli peace. Nitiative it is at stake and that is an important development. They have been satisfied to remain and make money. The u. S. Debate, which is especially important, no less so than israel and palestine. You will read today in the new the illustrious tom friedman things they would not have said two or three years ago. Discussbeginning to more frankly and candidly this problem. It has been important in this more candid public dialogue in this country. Organized jewish, christian, arab, and American Communities are speaking out and there is a profound change in those communities. Packed it was a that seen as the group supported the policies of the government of israel. Pac hast months ai suffered in the congress. That is the Historic Development because it has not been since the battle in Ronald Reagans arrow that an American Administration has decisively aipac initiative. We have seen a rise of a much more articulate and determine tom a well organized liberal and moderate Jewish Community. Aipac, the work of americans for peace now and many others are making a difference. Aipac . Ay i meant j street. And are making an impact the doors are increasingly in the whitem house and the media and that is a sign of change. Especially the Young American Jewish Community is staunchly supportive of israel in very critical of israeli policy. They are mobilizing and slowly having an impact on Congress Although i expect congress may be the last to become peacemakers. Security a leotard speaking out. Security chief s and prominent retired generals, these are people of the highest prestige and they are beginning to tell the truth about this conflict. I think that is a real sign of change in israel. Perhaps most important of all has been john kerrys position. He has been determined and allowed a process of bilateral coordination to go forward, i think, in an effort to give the to do itne last chance by themselves. It has failed and he is engaging in what i think is the next unamericanat is framework. That is an american framework. Dont know when we shall see. I am hoping it will be more specific and it will transfer the debate to an american proposal which will be it i believe, evenhanded reflecting the fundamental interest of both israel and palestine. That is galvanizing debate already and thats a good thing. Divisiveot seen such a by such secretary of state since the days of jim bakker. We have not seen an American Peace plan and United States for some years now that has been reluctant to describe its own policies on issues like jerusalem borders, security, refugees. Think, weakened our National Security interests and theirs as well. Its a good thing. There will be no quick solution. This conflict is an ancient one. Settlement and expansion is deeply embedded and to remove it would transform the state of israel in many ways. It is still possible and we sense that possibility in talking to many israelis. They are less optimistic but they are also resilient people with very impressive human resources. Im convinced if there is an act to have process led by the United States, both sides will that theye desperately lack now that this would lead the way. Energy,e with u. S. Persistence, and leadership leading to a breakthrough in this terrible conflict. And to a reinforcement of american interests, american leadership, which is in trouble in the region and to rescue these two parties from a terrible future. Thank you. [applause] thank you all for coming today. Rounds, we hear very often, isaiah told martin martin, we told knew we were talking to the right people. What did martin say to you . Not much. He was asking questions which is also a good sign. I should mention here that i think this is the most serious u. S. Effort since the first camp david when jimmy carter was president. The most serious, the best prepared, the most intellectually strong and at the risk of offending some of my friends who were out that the the secondho were at camp david, i think its a serious effort, the most serious, and maybe for a good while, it is seen as the last best chance. This is the last best chance. What i want to do is give you my impressions and try to tie them and looka little bit at the specific things we can address in the question and answer time. The impact of what john kerry is up theis shaking ou situation. They laughed and they were dispirited, disorganized, and you remember the last israeli election. It was not on peace issues. The right a sickly had a free ride. Minority andt a there was something lost in those elections, as we all know. He Settlement Expansion continues. Of Palestinian Jews to the green line continue. The barrier had resulted in. Arriers the netanyahu government and others were able to this are president , which irritated me able to dis our president. In israel, wens have one. Weve defeated the president of the United States, which i thought was bad for israel and bad for the United States. Now that the john Kerry Initiative is shaking things up and people are being pressed, they know that i think it is clear that he will not give up and the president s inclusion in the state of the union was a short paragraph with senator Chuck Schumer is taking credit for, i am told. Even more important is what he is reporting yesterday morning which i found out in the Israeli Press and not the american press, interestingly enough. John kerry for his diplomacy, his passion, and i think it will help this further to dispel that the president was holding back and waiting to see. Success will have many fathers. I never really believed this from what i knew and discussions i had had with some of the team, but i think what he said yesterday will further absolutely dispel that notion. It is clear then that israeli and palestinian leadership i pressed to make decisions. Often ourwe hear very courage and guts. When they will come into play, i frankly dont know. Said in anrzog interview the other day, this will require a basic decision that will change things remarkably both in israel and a new state of palestine if that comes about. Now, on the right, as i said, disarray. They dont quite know how to act. Amongst eachering other. Prime minister netanyahu basically told the cabinet to to live. In normal israeli fashion, they ignored. Its always a very vigorous discussion, to their credit. I enjoyed it when i lived there for three years and when i was going there four or five times year when i was the director much thei enjoyed very fact that it was like madeline and i had some close israeli friends and i could get the whole scope of the by going to dinner with the two of them because they would cover both sides of the argument. One part of the couple would argue laughed in the other would argue right so i did not have to spend a lot of time going around talking to other people. I dont think theres any indication that he would use it that therelot, too, were between 7580 votes, 120 in to veryould go seriously enter negotiations with the palestinians on a peace deal. The new leader of the labor partner says party says he peace talks now. A lot of pessimism and not knowing whats going on. We have heard people say that would reallyabbas know whats going on. They are not telling others what is happening. I think they are being very cautious because they know if there is much being said publicly about where they might go on these issues, they will face very serious difficulties because there is no good solution from the palestinian perspective on right of return. Thats my view. They are being very careful. President abbas is being very very positive, constructive. The long interview with al kirschner and tom friedman, he played the role of a statesman,oderate, said what he expected and i think thats what he believes as well, what i know from being out there on the ground. And he is giving the role of being the heavy after he met with kerry a week and a half ago. Where now . We are at the moment of truth yet. Maybe a preliminary. Im not sure what secretary kerrys going to put on the table regarding a framework, but my own view, and im not sure if my colleagues agree with me, but there will be enough space in the framework that it is very hard for either side to want to disengage. Take neither side wants to lame for the collapse of this effort. For their own domestic reasons and for the u. S. Reasons. Indicated, Prime Minister netanyahu is in a different position here after having won the first round. He has not won this round. It is not only the elements going on in israel but here in that ared states burdening. A Statement Issued that now is not the time to pursue any additional sanctions on iran and chairman menendez issued a statement shortly before that that it was coordinated and it would not surprise me. It is the dynamic of change and he will have to be very much more carefully and thats all good, as an american. As an american who believes that this is the best possible outcome, i think that is all the good as well. Two quick things, one on security. I spent a lot of time dealing with security not only when i was at defense when israel was and then the him aegypt hes keeping lot about defense and what they could do in the context of two state solutions. But i understand general allen and secretary kerry came up with is a working solution that would come up with the required security to i enter into an agreement for the jordan valley. Three years, egypt and israel. They talked about five. Has not been talked about much in the press and that is the nature of the peacekeeping operation. This would not be one that would be responsible only for monitoring and verification but would need a very robust mandate that would allow them to intercept, arrest, suppress, a really tough mandate. I think the United States and nato forces could accept the kind of mandate. The other thing, very quickly, i was involved in what was known as the Canadian Initiative that produced a well considered and well thought out plan option for special regime, one created by israel and palestine that would not the imposed nor would it be internationalization, one of the old discredited ideas. If anyone wants to blow up the a real rupture. Hereuld be to do something and im sure the parties are keeping a very careful eye on that. Where are we now . The parties are being challenged and they are going to have to make some decisions because im convinced that secretary kerry and the president will not back away from this. As i said, we heard the words courage and guts a lot when we were out there. Whether or not we will see them, i dont know. I feel better now having been there than i felt before we went about the prospect. Thank you very much. [applause] thank you, gentlemen, for an interesting and wellinformed overview of Current Events in that part of the world. We have about a half hour now which i will open for questions in a minute. I would just like to make an observation here that i hope will stimulate a response from one of you. , weng the annapolis talks there was serious engagement on a bilateral basis israeli and palestinian negotiators. This was a dialogue that the energy for which was present on both sides. It seems from the outside in contrast that the discussions over the last nine months have essentially been bilateral discussions between one of the parties and the United States rather than between the parties themselves. Each party, each of the principal parties have been most interested to win the u. S. Over to its view of things rather than negotiate among themselves to try to find points of agreement. Observations, at what stage would you see the beginning of a truly bilateral thegement, perhaps along lines most recently expressed during the annapolis era and certainly before . A u. S. We going to see role as absolutely vital orchestrating discussions that are between the u. S. And each Party Without essentially interaction between the parties . And enhanced view of proximity talks, if you will. Then i will open it up. I think you want them to stand up and appear here . Is that right . So i will stand aside. Nations generally make peace when they believe they have a shared interest in peace. Im not persuaded that the current Israeli Coalition under Benjamin Netanyahu believes that withhave a common interest the palestinians in making peace. I believe their interest lies in dominating, controlling permanently the land which some of them feel is sacred jewish land which others want to dominate for ideological reasons. I think the parties will continue to try to negotiate with the United States instead of each other until there is a change in the Israeli Government. The change would not necessarily throw ofver Benjamin Netanyahu. He has a long history and he is also known as a politician who will grasp at opportunities to enhance his own leadership. There is talk in israel now that there are well over 61 mandates that would support a. Omprehensive Peace Agreement it is not our question that it might happen, that there would be a shakeup in the current coalition, a shedding of one of dedicated and extremist Political Parties and to bring , or both, toparty create a new, different, moderate centrist peace minded government. Thinkt were the case, i the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Government would take a lot more interest in negotiating between themselves. Import and middle east negotiations, there has been the commonality of interest. There is not right now, but there could be. Thats the way i see it. I think once the john kerry framework is made public, the idea would be that the israelisans and would engage bilaterally. I also believe that it would break down, at least in the initial stages, and it would touire an american presence give proposals and what have you. I dont think we are going to see the americans backing off, nor should they. Its often said that they cannot do it themselves but their are also those who say they do it best when the americans get out. I dont think they can do it themselves. There are certain things they have to do themselves when it comes down to some of the fine points of negotiations, if they ever get there, but i think the u. S. Has got to be there. A question. Ake yes, upfront. You have a microphone coming to you. Perhaps he could stand up and make it easier . Thank you, mike quincy. You talked about the shift in. Srael with the United States a major stumbling block is hamas in gaza. You do have a chance to talk to any of these people to see if they would change their position to stop blocking . Weather that has changed, whether that would be the major block . You what theell hamas attitudes are, but from what we have been told by ,alestinians on the left bank gaza is a rather disillusioned. That theest strongly attitudes of the public would be reflective of the general attitudes in the west bank. Referendumyou have a on a peace plan that gaza would reflect the views of the west. Ank if its reasonable, lets get the israelis off our backs. These people are living in an open air prison. I dont know how else to describe it. Maybe that is a hopeful and unrealistic feeling, but that is what theyve told us. On the question of palestinian attitudes expressed in a referendum, i think people are reasonably certain that a good majority of palestinians would support a two states dilution solution is negotiated by their leader. That does not necessarily include the refugees who live outside of the west bank. Are they going to be included . How theyty hard to see could, but nevertheless, these are things they are going to have to work out. Right now, what you have is the west bank first negotiation. My personal view is we should have been trying to do this years ago to come up with something good enough to attract gaza. I hope thats what happens this time. Permanent think a viable peace could be possible nor could a wholesome, viable palestinian state could come to be if it is cut off from the other part of palestine and cut off from the sea. Hamas is a political party. If there is an emerging Peace Agreement supported by the Palestinian Authority and the i ame of the west bank, certain that hamas would have no choice. They would have to supported it for fear of losing whatever constituency they have retained in their constituency today is weaning. Hamas, yes, is an obstacle. They will make trouble if john kerrys initiative proceeds, which i think they will, but in the end they will have to yield because they are the minority and they would stand in the way of the rescue of the Palestinian People and the emergence of a palestinian state. Agree, given what has happened in egypt, its hard to see that hamas would have any other realistic option under a circumstance in which there was Real Progress towards a palestinian state. Yassir . Sir . S i would like you all to discuss a little bit what you have been seeing and hearing with whats happening in the United States and so forth on iran, syria, egypt, the big picture . You think obama might have in mind by pushing hard against what is the real, quite , nuclear where iran must have the highest priority . I dont think the administration is ignoring iran. , if i as egypt and syria were back in government, i would first ask the question, what can tosefully do in egypt promote freedom of expression, for example. The 18 journalists who are being crimes of for various disagreeing with the military in egypt. In syria, can you do anything else besides [inaudible] and then i would conclude that theres not much else i can do except in the humanitarian field in syria. In palestine and israel, there is something i can do. Therefore, i really applaud the john Kerry Initiative and they hope the president carries it out. It does not mean you will ignore the rest of the world out there but theres only so much you can do. Here, you can have a major impact. Back from thek nuclear program. I agree that the u. S. Has a vastly closer relationship with the israelis and the palestinians and a much larger capacity to use american diplomacys to solve their conflict. We like that knowledge and lack that egypt we knowledge and ability in syria. I think the resolution of the Iranian Nuclear issue would lift a burden of fear from the israeli public and i think the israeli public does support a negotiated solution and not a new war. Its very interesting that the most prestigious and retired military people, retired mossad officers, say the war between israel and syria would be crazy and they were between the u. S. And syria would cause between iran and the United States, would bring nothing but further grief. Capable given our past history, being helpful with israel and palestine. We have shown that in the last 50 years of conflict. If we persevere, if we are strong and patient, we can prevail. We need to have a little more confidence in our own country to do this. I would like to hear some comment on what tom friedman the tightening of the in theand israel negotiations. To address that to some extent. I dont know how many of you have had the experience of watching this incredible in theange, interaction media and the government. Its not something ive experienced in any other country. It was there but largely ignored. Ntil rather recently several developments which we mentioned, the eu boycott of , the danish and dutchian banks the investing,ting dis the talk by Angela Merkel. You can bet the tom friedman article is being this custom and in ther party media and israel. Thatnk its very important. Ay lead to a Tipping Point the palestinians have one think, as awhich, i last resort they may use before going to the United Nations again. They are reluctant to do this it would be very costly to the United States because congress has passed a law that declares that we shall withdraw from any eu and specialized agencies that admits a member and that would cause havoc for us. We are opposed to this policy. There is a need, i think, in the future if this American Initiative continues, and i believe it will, to develop more. Ublic diplomacy peace is not made by diplomats in the secret conversations. The societies of both israel and palestine are committed to peace if it is to succeed. John kerry will begin to turn a United Statesge more directly with the israeli public and the palestinian public. Its already happening in a way that we need to build this and as a very important component of diplomacy. There is a night where scenario. John kerrys talks fail, everything goes back to how it was. Palestinians are just too tired about it. Mayville they will go to a new specialization maybe they will go into a new specialization. How stupid. Then israel is labeled the black mark. Would be a terrible scenario that could happen. I hope it does not, for everyones benefit. I think its important to draw the distinction between bds, boycott disinvest, sanction, and give the impression you try to delegitimize israel as a state. There are two different things. Is aimed at israeli investments and activities in the occupied territories. Therets that are produced and labeled made in israel, actually it is not true because they do not claim they are part , but my way of thinking is it is a perfectly legitimate, peaceful way to put pressure on israel because the product are not made in israel. What is more complicated is the disinvestment of banks because they all have branches in the. Ettlements that is more concerning than the question of boycotts on product made in the territories. On the other hand, the question itimization is more loaded because this is based on. He basic narrative of israel there is a battle of two narratives. The twain shall never meet. Attacking the basic narrative on either side is a dangerous proposition. Its one thing to maintain your own narrative and another to attack the other. Yes . Right there . Sale, you mention peace will ultimately come not through mentioned phil, you peace will ultimately come through the people themselves. In your travels, did you encounter any influence or hear the peacebout initiatives or even the geneva accords being resurgent . I think the geneva accords is one of the templates as are the a peaceparameters for agreement. They are still working and they have institutionalized and they are upsizing. Ie arab league initiative, think, is quite popular among the Pragmatic Center in israel although it is feared by the far right because it shows an israeli withdrawal in exchange for peace. Many are many, international and private organizations that are trying to promote dialogue. Institutionry old whereby israelis and to eachians listen other and ultimately begin to accept each other to mobilize themselves for the approach to peacemaking. That alone has not been enough , but ie this impasse applaud these american groups israelnd teams over to and palestine. I think there is a payoff there and they should be supportive. I think we have time for one last question two. Please. With israels perceived need for security under a peace , netanyahu was asked a question, who do you trust . Was, i trust my own army. That is a strong statement precluding the u. S. Or International Involvement in the jordan valley. Im wondering how serious you take that and what it implies moving forward. Kerry, i wouldhn take it as an opening position and would not accept the final position. If that means they are permanently stationed along the jordan river, thats a total nonstarter. Wingyou deal with right Israeli Government, you always distillbe careful to Real Security concerns out of the next that includes strong ideological and religious considerations. Ever talkedno one about the security of the palestinians . Allow me. [laughter] both sides have legitimate security concerns. Them and palestine does, too. Team, talked to the peace i pointed that out and i pointed out the danger and talking only to the israelis about peace terms and security arrangements in going to the palestinians and say this is what we need to do. Its been done before and its a stupid thing to do. Its a mistake. President s guys have not done it that way. We have to defend ourselves by ourselves and continue to do that. Israel is not defending itself now. It would be a quite different security situation and im not only talking about funding but all kinds of equipment and so the 73 more that have supply issues and requirements. I dont think theyve ever let them down when it comes to security needs. They are maintaining the qualitative edge and they have done it very well to the present day. Is wider than it has been since the 1967 war. There have been no complaints with the Obama Administration regarding security support. Its not true now and it was not necessary then. They did this to ensure Palestinian Security and we have heard that they have needs, too. What security needs to they have . One can analyze that and they do have needs. To me, one of the biggest problems we need to solve is now, its the idea that controls the west bank. It is under military law, not civilian law. They have their own ethical and moral considerations. Things asyond those published by israeli former soldiers. To getdest thing will israel to accept that they no longer have total freedom of action to do whatever they want in the palestinian territories in the new state of palestine. That will be a big psychological barrier that needs to be broken through. I think the u. S. Must remain sensitive to the security of the state of israel. The real threat is its occupation on other nations and that is simply untenable in the 21st century because it violates all universal attitudes towards human rights, human freedom, selfdetermination. That is the Real Security problem. Of course israel, like all nations has other Security Problems and they should he attended to. I think this has given a sense of false confidence that military force is the key to security. It is not and i think history confirms that. One word about the palestinians. So they can begin to live normal lives. I think with that, ladies and we will close out for tod today. Of y, i think we are out taoeuim time. I appreciate your attendance today. Coming. Ou for and keep an eye out for us in the future. Thank you very much. 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