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

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

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. - 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 â€Å"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.