[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     WELCOMING PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU TO WASHINGTON, DC

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I would like to welcome Prime 
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.
  Today's visit between President Obama and the Prime Minister was the 
first time the leaders of our two countries have met in over a year. It 
was also their first time meeting since President Obama concluded his 
deal with Iran.
  We know that deal is likely to entrench Iran's nuclear threshold 
capabilities while helping subsidize terrorist groups, such as 
Hezbollah and Hamas, that are dedicated to Israel's destruction. We 
know that the President's deal does not even require Iran to recognize 
Israel's right to exist.
  So I am sure these leaders had much to discuss. I am sure they 
engaged in a frank discussion. But a relationship based on frank 
exchanges of views--a relationship centered on substance rather than 
just personalities--is important for both of our countries. It is, in 
fact, healthy.
  That is certainly true when we hear Iran's Supreme Leader reiterating 
calls for Israel's destruction. That is certainly true when we hear him 
saying that change will never happen as he continues to rail against 
our own country.
  So it is good that Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama had a 
chance to meet today. It is good that the Prime Minister will have an 
opportunity to visit the Capitol again tomorrow as well.
  We appreciated his last visit very much. It was important to hear the 
perspective of a leader for whom threats from countries like Iran and 
terrorist groups like ISIL and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are hardly 
theoretical.
  That was made clear when I led a congressional delegation to the 
Middle East last month that included Congressman Barr and Senators from 
Arkansas, South Dakota, and Iowa. We met with leaders in Jordan, Iraq, 
and Afghanistan, and in Israel we had a chance to visit with the Prime 
Minister. It was productive, it was eye-opening, and it underlined a 
key point.
  Israel's Prime Minister is a great friend of the United States. The 
bonds between our nations are strong. And I hope we can all find ways 
to strengthen them further because the threats facing both our 
countries are real, and they are certainly worrying.

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