Leader Boehner at AIPAC

Via email:

Excerpts of Leader Boehner's 9:00 AM speech to AIPAC:

ON ISRAEL AND AMERICA FACING THE SAME ENEMY:

"We tend to forget the United States has been under attack by the same forces for decades. Their calculus is not to defeat us militarily, but to defeat us in the court of public opinion. The terrorists point to Vietnam , to Tehran , to Beirut , to Somalia and say, 'wait for the last helicopter to leave.' For too long, we have given Islamic extremists every reason to believe that we do NOT have the fortitude to defeat them. We need to stop running and confront the terrorists' intentions. They want to kill everyone who does not agree with them."

ON AL QAEDA'S LONG-TERM INTENTIONS REGARDIG ISRAEL :

"Destroy Israel ...That is the strategy outlined by al Qaeda leadership, indicating its long-term planning. If we lose Iraq , we lose Israel . If we do not use every means at our disposal and work with the international community to force Iran to dismantle its nuclear weapons programs and stop sponsoring terrorism, we lose Israel . If we do not take seriously the words and intentions of Islamic militants, we lose Israel .

ON AIPAC MEMBERS MEETING WITH LAWMAKERS REGARDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING BILL:

"You will be meeting with many decisions makers in the next few days. If what I say makes NO sense, we can respectfully disagree. If what I say does make, you need to tell the decision makers to stand firm, to not lose their will in fight against Islamic radicalism. Remind them that you know that the fight over troop funding is far more than the typical Washington fight over money. It is about our future. America 's future-and Israel 's. And remind them of their duty to defend freedom and democracy."