Working for peace in the Middle East

By Rep. Bob Goodlatte
R - 6th Congressional District

Earlier this month I had the invaluable opportunity to travel to Israel as part of a Congressional delegation. The delegation met with a variety of Israeli and Palestinian government leaders to discuss issues related to the ongoing violence in the region and efforts to further the peace process.

Arab-Israeli conflict has marked practically every decade since the founding of Israel and numerous attempts at the peace process have failed. During my visit, which was organized by the American Israel Education Foundation, I saw firsthand the challenges that face Israel, challenges that are often shared by the United States. Protecting Israel, much like the United States, against global terrorism, is a vigilant effort. With every attack in the Middle East, it only emphasizes the fact that we need to remain vigilant in our war against global terrorism.

The delegation traveled to Jerusalem where we met with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel. At the meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, we discussed the future of the peace process and negotiations with the Palestinian National Authority.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has been calling for direct negotiations with the Palestinians for the past fifteen months. For peace talks to be successful all issues, including the economic and security arrangements for an independent Palestinian nation and recognition of the right of Israel to exist in peace without threat of terrorist or other attacks emanating from a new Palestine, must be decided as part of these negotiations. The delegation also met with Salam Fayyad, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, with whom we specifically raised this issue, reminding the Prime Minister that direct negotiations are key to a real and lasting peace in the region and the future economic prosperity of the Palestinian people.

Additionally, during our meeting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his concerns regarding Iran and their stated goal of destroying the state of Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed the importance of expanded sanctions against Iran. An Iranian government in possession of nuclear weapons would be intolerable for most of its Middle East neighbors and the rest of the world as they are already the sponsor of most of the terrorist attacks out of Gaza and Lebanon and thus the biggest obstacle to peace in the Middle East. For this reason the Congress recently passed, with my support, and President Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act. This legislation significantly strengthens the sanctions against Iran in an effort to restrict their illegal nuclear activities. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his strong support for this legislation and spoke of the vital role it will play in promoting peace in the Middle East.

The Middle East is an area rich in a history marked by long-standing hatreds and disputed land claims. While the quest for peace is daunting, we must remain steadfast in our pursuit, for we have a vested interest in trying to stop the terrorist violence that occurs daily in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

Is anyone surprised?

Gateway Pundit's Jim Hoft with the latest ... Breaking: WHITE HOUSE SIDES WITH HAMAS!… Says Gaza Blockade Unsustainable.

Remember when Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House in March and was snubbed by Barack Obama? Dismayed Americans spoke up at the time.

Will this President destroy the friendship between Israel and America?

Atlas Shrugs: Thousands in the pouring rain to suppport Israel against Obama's anti-Israel policies

Check out these photos from Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs where she writes:

The rain was fitting as Obama's anti-Israel policies cast a dark cloud on the free world. But that didn't stop thousands and thousands of Jews, Christians, Hindus and freedom loving peoples from coming out against Obama.

The photos tell the story....

Ed Koch: "Obama ... willing to throw Israel under the bus"

Rush Limbaugh talked Friday about former New York Mayor Ed Koch's extreme disappointment in President Barack Obama's recent rude treatment at the White House of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

"I have been a supporter of President Obama and went to Florida for him, urged Jews all over the country to vote for him saying that he would be just as good as John McCain on the security of Israel. I don't think it's true anymore," Koch told Fox News' Neil Cavuto.

Mr. Koch also expressed disappointment with Congress' silence on Israel's treatment by the Obama administration, as reported by Fox News:

Koch said he's shocked that Congress, which largely supports Israel hasn't "stood up and said to the president, 'you're wrong on this, Mr. President.'"

He bluntly expressed his opinion about Barack Obama to Neil Cavuto:

"I believe that the Obama administration is willing to throw Israel under the bus in order to please Muslim nations," Koch said. "We'll know when I'm right or wrong."

Many were shocked at the President's treatment of Mr. Netanyahu but Mr. Koch laid it on the table in no uncertain terms. This president has been photographed bowing to Muslim heads of state which may make many wonder about his allegiance to Israel.

Binyamin Netanyahu ... defender of freedom

Artwork compliments of Bob at The Journey.

See Obama snubs another American ally.

Netanyahu: Profile of a leader

I am ashamed of the words coming out of the mouth of Barack Obama when he is in the presence of world leaders. It is reminiscent of the kid on the playground who strives to fit in with the cool kids ... and so he says and does whatever he thinks will impress them.

In Obama's effort to be a "cool kid" to the rest of the world -- or, perhaps I should say, to our enemies -- he is selling us out, criticizing our great country that so many fought and died for, and placing blame on us for any number of perceived short-fallings. He ignores his true and loyal friends ... Great Britain, Poland, Chechslavakia.

And then along comes a leader so strong and powerful in his remarks that the world stops ... leans in ... and listens: "Have ... you ... no ... shame?"

Thank God for men like Benjamin Netanyahu.

Update: The Washington Times has the entire transcript of Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks at the United Nations.

Check out American Power's post and commentary.


H/T Shaun Kenney