Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today with a Republican U.S. Congressional delegation at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem. The delegation, organized by AIPAC, included senior leadership from the organization.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu briefed the delegation on the situation in the Gaza Strip, addressing questions from the representatives regarding defeating the Hamas terrorist organization, ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages, and humanitarian aid concerns.
“I want to thank you for your support. There’s a long tradition of the American-Israeli alliance. It’s always been necessary, but it’s more necessary now in the face of the barbarism that we face, that threatens our entire civilization,” the prime minister stated.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed gratitude for the longstanding American-Israeli alliance, highlighting its importance in confronting the threats faced by both nations. He characterized the conflict as not only between Israel and Hamas but also involving the broader axis of Iran and its proxies, emphasizing the significance of victory for both Israeli and American security interests.
Prime Minister Netanyahu conveyed three key messages to the delegation: the assurance of eventual victory, the need for expedited support, particularly in the form of a supplemental, and opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, which he argued would pose further security risks. He underscored the Israeli commitment to security and urged solidarity in defending their shared civilization.
Also present at the meeting were Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, the Prime Minister’s Chief-of-Staff Tzachi Braverman, National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi, and the Prime Minister’s Foreign Policy Adviser Dr. Ophir Falk.
The American participants included U.S. Reps. Mark Alford (R-MO), Aaron Bean (R-FL), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Laurie Chavez-Deremer (R-OR), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Russell Fry (R-SC), Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ), Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Celeste Maloy (R-UT), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), and Rudy Yakym (R-IN).