Benjamin Netanyahu Welcomes House Speaker John Boehner To Jerusalem
It’s less than a month since Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a standing ovation-filled speech in Congress; today, House Speaker John Boehner arrived in Israel and was welcomed to Jerusalem by the Israeli Prime Minister.
Netanyahu, who is known to be an accomplished orator, began by welcoming Boehner and his delegation to the Jewish State.
“Today it’s my great pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel and the capital of the Jewish people for three thousand years.”
Israel’s leader went on to speak about the close relationship between Israel and America, regardless of personal gripes and tensions with President Obama.
In speaking about the relationship between the two countries, Netanyahu said, “This is a bond that is founded on our common values, our shared commitment to liberty and equal rights for all. And this alliance of values is cemented by our common interests.
“The Middle East is plagued by anti-Western, anti-democratic and anti-American extremism. Terrorists brutally behead their shackled captives before video cameras. Despots lead their people in chants of ‘Death to America’ while building intercontinental ballistic missiles to reach America. In this violent and unstable region, where states are imploding and fanaticism is exploding, one thing remains rock solid: Our friendship, our alliance, our partnership. It makes both our countries stronger. It makes both our countries safer. And it’s the anchor for our shared hopes for peace and stability in this region.”
When Boehner took to the podium, he echoed the Israeli Prime Minister’s stance.
“Our delegation has spent the last five days throughout the Middle East. And regardless of where in the Middle East we’ve been, the message has been the same. You can’t continue to turn your eye away from the threats that face all of us.”
Ending with comments made by the commander of Iran’s Basij Force, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, Netanyahu said, “Yesterday an Iranian general brazenly declared and I quote: ‘Israel’s destruction is non-negotiable’, but evidently giving Iran’s murderous regime a clear path to the bomb is negotiable. This is unconscionable.”
It will be interesting to see how The White House responds to Speaker Boehner’s visit and any further remarks of his regarding the relationship with Israel in the future.
[Image credit: NBC]
