Netanyahu: Israel is What's Right about the Middle East

On May 24, 2011 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before congress. “The middle east stands at a fateful crossroads for an epic battle is now underway between tyranny and freedom. And like all of you, I pray that the peoples of the region, choose the path less traveled, the path of liberty. Israel has always embraced this path. In a region where women are stoned, gays are hanged, Christians are persecuted, Israel stands out. It is different. We have a free press, independent courts, and open economy. Courageous Arab protestors are now struggling to secure these very same rights for their peoples for their societies. We’re proud in Israel that over one million Arab citizens of Israel have been enjoying these rights for decades. Of the 300 million Arabs in the Middle East and North Africa, only Israel’s Arab citizens enjoy real democratic rights. I want you to stop for a second and think about that. Of those 300 million Arabs less than one half of one perfect are truly free and they’re all citizens of Israel. This startling fact reveals a basic truth. Israel is not what is wrong about the Middle East, Israel is what is right about the Middle East.