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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SECRETARY POMPEO IN ISRAEL
______
HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 15, 2020
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, congratulations to
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for traveling to Israel this week, his
first international trip in nearly two months amid the ongoing Wuhan
Virus pandemic. The trip coincided with the two-year anniversary of
President Trump fulfilling his campaign and implementing U.S. law by
relocating the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, Israel's eternal unified
capital. I was grateful to lead the House Delegation with Senator
Lindsey Graham, Vice President Mike Pence, lvanka Trump, and Jared
Kushner for the opening of the new embassy with Ambassador David
Friedman as President Trump fulfilled ``Promises Made, Promises Kept.''
Secretary Pompeo's trip also coincided with the 72nd anniversary of the
Israel's Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948. The timing of the
visit, especially given today's circumstances, sends a clear message to
our valued allies and friends in Israel: the United States will
unequivocally stand by your side.
Secretary Pompeo's visit also comes as Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and his political rival Knesset Speaker Benny Gantz are in
midst of forming a unity government after over a year of political
stalemate that has paralyzed the Israeli government. This new unity
government will be especially significant as it will take the first
steps to realize President Trump's bold and unprecedented ``Peace to
Prosperity'' Middle East peace plan coordinated by Jared Kushner.
President Trump's plan, unveiled in January 2020, offers a fresh
opportunity to restart final status negotiations between Israel and the
Palestinians. This new plan includes many incentives for both sides,
including an Israeli settlement freeze for four years, land swaps for
both sides, and $50 billion in new investment in the Palestinian
territories.
While Israel has indicated a willingness to restart the negotiations,
the Palestinian side has unfortunately categorically rebuffed President
Trump's plan, in line with their rejectionist track-record. I am
grateful for the Trump Administration's efforts to restart negotiations
for Middle East peace, and I beseech both sides to take this
opportunity for a new, hopeful future seriously.
Undoubtedly another high priority item on Secretary Pompeo's agenda
in Israel is the persistent threat to Israel and indeed the stability
and security of the entire region, posed by Iran's sponsorship of
terrorism and its development of ballistic missiles. The threat will
unfortunately be compounded in October of this year, when the United
Nations arms embargo on Iran expires pursuant to UN Security Council
Resolution 2231.
Not only does its expiration allow Iran to buy potentially game-
changing military hardware and technology, it also weakens and
effectively eliminates the legal architecture that has underpinned
international efforts to restrict Iran's ability to transfer weapons to
their proxies. I'm grateful that Secretary Pompeo and President Trump
have made coordination of security with Israel a top priority in light
of this growing threat.
Secretary Pompeo's visit to Israel this week is yet another
indication of the Trump Administration's strong support for our valued
ally, Israel. It is a strong sign that this Administration will not
forsake our allies and will always stand with the people of Israel to
face any challenge side-by-side.
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