US Vice President Dick Cheney told attendees at the AIPAC conference on Monday that an early withdrawal from Iraq would be “disastrous” for Israel.
“It's not hard to imagine what could occur if our coalition withdrew before Iraqis could defend themselves,” the vice president said. “If Sunni extremists prevailed, al-Qaeda and its allies would recreate the safe haven they lost in Afghanistan, except now it would be with the oil wealth to pursue weapons of mass destruction and underwrite their terrorist designs, including their pledge to destroy Israel.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert who also attended the conference said he didn’t want to enter into American politics, but supports its foreign policy concerning Israel’s safety.
“Those who are concerned for Israel's security, for the security of the Gulf States, and for the stability of the entire Middle East should recognize the need for American success in Iraq, and responsible exit,” the prime minister said.