Washington, DC –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, released the following statement in response to Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu’s working visit to the White House with President Barack Obama.

“The visit of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Washington sends a definitive signal that the ‘unbreakable bond’ between the U.S. and Israel – as the Prime Minister called it – is as strong as ever.  This marks Prime Minister Netanyahu’s fourth visit to the Obama White House, demonstrating his strong relationship with the President and his dedication to the peace process.  I applaud Israel’s recent effort to move the peace process forward, even without a credible partner in Hamas.  I was pleased to hear that the discussions between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu included concrete steps that can be taken to further that goal.  The two leaders also made clear that one of the highest priority areas of cooperation and mutual interest between the U.S. and Israel is the pressing threat of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.  I am confident these talks between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu will help to strengthen the ongoing special relationship between the
U.S. and Israel that both outlined.” 

Senator Cardin, in his role as Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, currently is leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Oslo, Norway. The delegation is participating in the 19th Annual Session of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Session.