[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 123 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5530-S5531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                 Israel

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I want to make sure that the record is 
clear and unequivocal. The Vice President of the United States, Kamala 
Harris, met personally with Prime Minister Netanyahu. At that point, 
she said, with him and publicly, that our alliance with Israel is 
``unwavering.'' That was her exact quote, despite what you might have 
heard to the contrary.
  Then she went on to say she believed that Israel had the right to 
exist and the right to defend itself, but how it does it makes a 
difference. That is a significant statement because what she is 
suggesting is our alliance has to reflect our values as well as our 
commitment to Israel.
  I don't believe that is a radical statement. I agree with that 
statement. And I believe that to suggest otherwise is to 
mischaracterize what the Vice President said. I think she speaks for 
America. I hope she does. She speaks for me when she says those words. 
I thought her meeting with Netanyahu was historic, important, timely, 
and repeated the basic principles that guide our two nations.

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