Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C — NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, returned from a weeklong visit to Israel with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy as the senior member traveling with a delegation of Congressional colleagues who traveled to the Middle East to pursue solutions for foreign policy, national security, and economic issues affecting both the United States and Israel.

Upon his arrival back in the United States, Congressman Zeldin said, “It’s timely and important to observe firsthand the current situation on the ground in the Middle East and help strengthen the bond between America and Israel. During my visit, I met with several top Israeli elected officials and military leaders to discuss a number of topics, including the Iran nuclear deal, missile defense, cybersecurity, innovation and technology, intelligence-sharing, and much more.”

Since taking office in January, Congressman Zeldin, who co-chairs the House Republican Israel Caucus, has been an outspoken advocate on the need to strengthen the relationships between America and our allies. The congressman has also been a vocal advocate against America agreeing to a bad nuclear deal with Iran that threatens the stability of America and the Middle East.

While in Jerusalem, Congressman Zeldin met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the fatally flawed Iran deal. He also met with the Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah during a visit in Ramallah to discuss Hamas and the viability of a two-state solution. Congressman Zeldin met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem earlier in the week, and the Iran nuclear deal dominated the president’s remarks as it also did during a meeting with Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog.

While in Israel, Congressman Zeldin toured many sites, including the Gaza border, the Golan Heights border with Syria, the Jordanian River Valley between Israel and Jordan, an Iron Dome battery, and several West Bank locations.

He also visited a number of historic sites such as the Western Wall at the Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Yad Vashem.

“Israel has always been a strategic partner of the United States in the Middle East. It is amazing that we have such a strong Democratic ally in a volatile part of the world that is filled with instability and turmoil. Israel is surrounded by terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda, and ISIS, but Israel’s strength and our unbreakable alliance gives them the strongest possible determination to survive. We share the same enemies. In Congress, I will continue to pursue a stronger foreign policy to protect the United States and our allies from emerging threats throughout the Middle East and around the world,” Congressman Zeldin concluded.

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