Royce Highlights Shared Values, Shared Threats

Traveling with a bipartisan delegation to Israel, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, met today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a broad range of issues relating to the U.S.-Israel relationship.  Royce and Netanyahu reaffirmed the strong relationship between the two countries. The delegation discussed the grave threat of Iran’s nuclear program to the region and the world.  The delegation also spoke about the growing Israeli economy, including the vast potential of its newly discovered energy reserves.

Following the meeting, Chairman Royce issued the following statement:

“America and Israel share the same values, both seek peace and prosperity, and are faced by the same threats.  We are in this together. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I am committed to working with our ally, in one of the world’s most dangerous regions, to meet our present and future challenges.  

“As Iran’s nuclear program advances, now is the time to step up the pressure on the Iranian regime.  In my meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu, other senior Israeli officials, entrepreneurs, and citizens, we discussed not only the threats facing our two countries from rogue regimes such as Iran and Syria, but the opportunities that exist for our two nations working together.  We have  reaffirmed to those we’ve met that this Congress, in a bipartisan manner, will continue to support Israel’s right to exist – as a Jewish state – in peace and security.” 

NOTE: Prior to the meeting, Chairman Royce participated in a wreath-laying at the Holocaust Memorial.

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