Biden: Iran efforts won't endanger Israel

WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- Vice President Joe Biden defended U.S. outreach to Iran Tuesday while assuring a pro-Israeli lobbying group that Israel remained a treasured U.S. ally.

During a speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Biden said President Barack Obama's election was a call by American voters "to change the trajectory that the world was on," but the U.S. commitment to Israel was an "enduring essential principle" that wouldn't change.

Biden said any shift in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East wouldn't endanger the security of Israel.

"All the good intentions of the last decade have not resulted in a more secure, stable Middle East," Biden said. "There must always be a place for the Jews to go and that place must be Israel."

Efforts to get Iran to abandon its nuclear aspirations remain difficult, Biden said, but "a nuclear-armed Iran risks an arms race in the region."

"That's why we will pursue direct, principled democracy with Iran," Biden said, adding that the U.S. "will approach Iran initially in a spirit of mutual respect."

Biden also stressed the importance of a two-state solution with Palestine, saying an Israeli-Palestinian peace solution can be achieved.

"The fact that peace has not occurred does not mean that peace cannot occur," Biden said. Israel and its Arab neighbors have enough common interest to bring peace in the Middle East within reach, Biden added.

"Progress towards peace has only been possible when people ... were willing to think differently; to take risks; to make a principled compromise," Biden said. "Now is the time to work together for the promise of a better day, and for the success and strength and security of our most treasured ally, Israel."