RELEASE: Bipartisan Group Pushes President to Bolster Critical U.S.-Israel Relationship, Combat Threats from Iran, & Brief Congress on Progress Made During Visit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan group of 12 Members of Congress — led by Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Michael Turner (OH-10) — wrote to President Joe Biden as he visits Israel, to push for concrete steps to bolster the U.S.-Israel relationship, combat threats from Iran, and to request a briefing on progress accomplished during the trip.

“​​The bilateral relationship between the United States and Israel is sacrosanct and above partisan politics. We expect that your visit will lead to meaningful progress in further cementing that relationship, especially in the areas of security, defense, and economic cooperation. We also firmly believe that the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is vital to America’s interests,” the Members wrote in a letter to President Biden this week. “For years, Iran has threatened peace and stability in the region, with its advancing nuclear program and aid to terrorist groups. We are pleased to see your administration take concrete steps to build on the Abraham Accords and support the normalization process between Israel and its neighbors.”

The Members continued, “We are confident that this visit will advance U.S. security, economic, and diplomatic interests. We kindly request to meet with you following the visit to learn about your accomplishments and perspective.”

The signatory list of 12 bipartisan Members includes Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5), Michael Turner (R-OH-10), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4), Don Bacon (R-NE-2), Jim Costa (D-CA-16), Jared Golden (D-ME-02), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH-16), Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ-1), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), and Juan Vargas (D-CA-51).

Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr. 

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 

Washington, D.C.  20500       

Dear President Biden:

We are grateful for your planned visit to Israel, the West Bank, and Saudi Arabia to reinforce the United States’ iron-clad commitment to Israel’s security and to reinforce the importance of regional cooperation between Israel and countries in the region. We are confident that this visit will advance U.S. security, economic, and diplomatic interests. We kindly request to meet with you following the visit to learn about your accomplishments and perspective.

The bilateral relationship between the United States and Israel is sacrosanct and above partisan politics. We expect that your visit will lead to meaningful progress in further cementing that relationship, especially in the areas of security, defense, and economic cooperation. We also firmly believe that the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is vital to America’s interests. We are confident that your visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia will lead to concrete accomplishments.

For years, Iran has threatened peace and stability in the region, with its advancing nuclear program and aid to terrorist groups. We are pleased to see your administration take concrete steps to build on the Abraham Accords and support the normalization process between Israel and its neighbors.

We look forward to discussing with you the progress that will be made during your trip. As a bipartisan group of Members of Congress committed to the U.S.-Israel relationship and regional normalization, we look forward to sharing our views with you as well.

Sincerely,

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

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