Pelosi, Boehner Remarks Before Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Pelosi, Boehner Remarks Before Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu

WASHINGTON, May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House
Republican Leader John Boehner held a brief press availability with Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel before their meeting in the Capitol this
morning. Below are their remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Good morning. It is a great honor indeed to join my colleague,
Leader Boehner, in welcoming Prime Minister Netanyahu to the Capitol of the
United States.

The last time I saw him was in Jerusalem -- last May -- when we were observing
the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. I told him
then and just recently on the 61st anniversary by phone, that the
establishment of the State of Israel was the shining, the beacon of light in
the 20th century. A great, great political accomplishment.

We're very proud that our President at the time, President Truman, in a matter
of minutes recognized the new State of Israel and that friendship has been a
long one that has enhanced both of our countries.
We gather here today -- a new President of the United States, a new Prime
Minister of Israel -- with a new opportunity for hope, for a better future for
the region, which is important to the world.

There have been previous agreements that talk about a two-state solution, but
I emphasize the word "solution." It must be a solution that provides for a
Democratic, Jewish State of Israel, living side-by-side with her Palestinian
neighbors.

The question of Iran is one that is of concern to us in Congress. Certainly it
is to Israel because of its proximity, but it is an issue for the world. It is
important for all of us to work together to be sure that Iran does not develop
a weapon of mass destruction.

Mr. Prime Minister, I want you to know that every opportunity we get -- and
certainly on your visit -- we want to shine a bright light on the plight of
Gilad Shalit. His father was just recently here and I promised that we would
continue to work and pray for his release. We want his captors to know that he
has many friends in the Congress of the United States and we are concerned
about his freedom.

Again, Mr. Prime Minister, welcome to the Capitol and I'm pleased to yield to
my distinguished Republican Leader Mr. Boehner.

Republican Leader Boehner. Let me welcome the Prime Minister along with the
Speaker to the Capitol of the United States.

We have no closer ally and friend anywhere in the world, than the State of
Israel. And I think with this election in Israel recently -- we've got a new,
not quite new -- Prime Minister.

But I'm looking forward to our conversation today because there are a number
of areas of mutual interest and clearly, what happens with regards to dealing
with the Palestinians is of concern to all of us and I think that we share --
as the Speaker said -- a mutual concern about the development of nuclear
weapons in Israel -- I mean in Iran.
And so, we have a lot to talk about and I may just give...the Prime
Minister...

Prime Minister Netanyahu. Thank you Speaker Pelosi. Thank you Mr. Boehner.
It's good to be back here amidst great friends of Israel.

There's an American consensus reflected in your words, Madam Speaker, about
the special relationship we have between Israel and the United States. It's a
friendship and a partnership of values and interests alike. I think we begin
with values and I was very moved by your mentioning of the plight of Gilad
Shalit.

Our values say that we take care of prisoners in a humanitarian way, in
accordance with international law and unfortunately that is not being
reciprocated.

We face opportunities and challenges. The challenges -- the arming of Iran,
the potential arming of Iran with nuclear weapons capabilities. That is a
great danger to all of us, to Israel specifically, to the modern Arab regime,
to America. Certainly if this regime were to arm itself, arm terrorists with
nuclear weapons -- the consequences could be unimaginable.

At the same time, we want to seek the advancement of peace between us and the
Palestinians and as President Obama, I think, wisely said, between us, the
Palestinians, and the broader Arab world. It's time for the Arab countries to
do their part too -- to normalize relations with Israel and to support the
peace process.

We have to do this in tandem and that's going to be our policy and we're very
encouraged to learn that this is the American policy. We're going to try to do
it together, because if we do it together, we'll get a lot further a lot
faster.

Thank you very much.

Speaker Pelosi. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House

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