Madeleine Albright on U.S.-Israel relationship, Iran, Arab Spring

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 5 – Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright expressed optimism about both the Arab Spring and Middle East peace talks while speaking during an event at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday.

“For those of us who are pro-Israel, and I consider myself one of them,” she said during The Bloomberg Link interview with Norman Pearlstine, “we believe Israel would be more secure with a two-state solution … and we want to see talks move forward.”

Saying that President Obama has been a good partner with Israel, she discussed connections between the two countries. We have a natural link to Israel based on democracy, she said.

Regarding discussions about the 2012 DNC platform being less pro-Israel than in 2008, the former Secretary of State said that is untrue.

“Jerusalem is one of the final status issues that needs to be dealt with in negotiations,” said Albright.

On the Arab Spring, which she says has impact on Middle East talks, Albright said instead of calling the events the Arab Spring, we should call them  “Arab Opportunities.”

When asked about potential actions Israel could take regarding Iran, Albright said “Israel is a sovereign state,” and while she doesn’t know what talks are going on between the U.S. and Israel on Iran, she believes “relations are quite good.”

Calling Iran a “rational actor,” Albright said it is important to give international, specifically European, sanctions a little more time to “keep tightening the noose on Iran.”