[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 20, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2019-S2020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PRESIDENT'S MIDDLE EAST TRIP

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, President Obama arrived in the Middle East 
today. It is his first visit as President to Israel and the West Bank.
  Some in the press have focused on the fact that the White House has 
lowered expectations for what will be accomplished in the 3 days of the 
President's visit. Others, including Members

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of Congress, have signed letters to the President.
  Rather than prejudge what can be achieved by this trip or try to tie 
the President's hands concerning the Middle East, I want to simply make 
a few straightforward points.
  First, no one who knows the Middle East can honestly expect momentous 
accomplishments from a short visit like this, especially when the new 
Israeli Government is still in the process of forming. But despite 
that, it is very positive that the President is traveling to the 
region, and this is as good a time as any.
  Second, the peace process, as we have come to refer to it, between 
Israelis and Palestinians has been stalled for a dozen years. In many 
ways the prospects for an end to the conflict are worse today than in 
the mid-1990s, and there is plenty of blame to go around. Just 
traveling to Israel and the West Bank reaffirms this administration's 
interest in helping the parties find ways to make progress on the key 
issues. Ultimately, however, it is up to them, not the United States, 
to resolve their differences.
  Third, it reaffirms President Obama's longstanding support for 
Israel. While during the Presidential campaign there were shameful 
attempts to portray the President as somehow not committed enough or 
supportive enough of Israel, that was pure politics. The record is 
abundantly clear that he has been, is--and, there is every reason to 
believe, will continue to be--a strong supporter of Israel. Top Israeli 
officials have acknowledged this.
  That is not to say that we and the Israeli Government are going to 
agree on every issue. Israel and the United States share fundamental 
interests, but we are different countries and sometimes our interests 
diverge. That is to be expected.
  Fourth, the President's visit is an opportunity for Israelis and 
Palestinians to recognize that the status quo is unsustainable. 
Maintaining this untenable limbo is neither in their interests nor in 
the interests of our great Nation. Unilateral actions by either side 
are harmful to the peace process. Rhetoric that dehumanizes or 
demonizes the other is harmful. Settlement construction in disputed 
territory is harmful. Incitement to violence is harmful. Both sides 
need to demonstrate that they want lasting peace through negotiations.
  The President will also visit Jordan, which is facing increasing 
pressure from the flood of Syrian refugees, an issue that concerns us 
all. The fiscal year 2013 continuing resolution that is expected to 
pass the Senate this week includes additional assistance for Jordan and 
for Syria's other neighbors to help address these needs.
  And, of course, there are growing concerns about Iran's nuclear 
program. I believe the President has wisely proceeded with caution in 
the way his administration has responded to this grave threat. While 
some have urged the President to adopt a purely military policy toward 
Iran, the advice of our top military leaders is restraint. We should 
exhaust other means at our disposal to try to convince Iran to abandon 
its nuclear ambitions and to avoid another war in that part of the 
world.
  Mr. President, I commend President Obama for traveling to the Middle 
East. Real peace with enduring security between Israelis and 
Palestinians has long been and remains a key goal of the United States. 
It is one toward which the Congress and the administration should work 
together.

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