Congressman Adam Kinzinger returns from American Israel Educational Foundation Seminar

Press Release

Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11), a veteran of Afghan and Iraqi combat operations and a member of the House Republican Israel and Israel Allies Caucuses, today returned from the American Israel Educational Foundation Seminar in Israel where he met Israeli and Palestinian leaders and saw first-hand the many challenges facing the region.

Kinzinger attended briefings ranging from U.S.-Israeli intelligence sharing, the fight against terrorism, homeland security, military cooperation, weapons and technology development, and combating nuclear proliferation. He met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayed. He also met other political leaders, military officials, economic experts, peace negotiators, and religious leaders.

"Throughout the course of the seminar, I meet with Israeli and Palestinian elected officials and business leaders," said Kinzinger. "I have seen first-hand that America is strongest when we work together with our true allies. For the sake of national and international security, the United States must continue to maintain diplomatic ties and push for democratic reforms in the Middle East."

He added:

"Israel is one of our strongest democratic allies in the region and has been since its creation in 1948. Over the decades, we have reinforced this deep and historic relationship through trade, technology, educational partnerships, military and economic aid, and a shared commitment to promoting international security and combating global terrorism. We must preserve our strong free trade relationship with Israel which has proven to mutually beneficial for both our economies. Additionally, Israel continues to play a critical role in the War on Terror to the benefit of both Israeli and American national security.

"The United States cannot simply standby and watch as Israel's strength and safety are threatened and undermined. We must continue to work closely with Israel to promote peace with its neighbors. As their ally, we must support Israel and make certain that any peace agreement ensures Israel's defense and security throughout the region. Stability and security in the Middle East is not only in the best interest of the region but of the United States and our allies around the world."

Kinzinger was one of 81 bipartisan lawmakers who traveled to Israel this month with the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), a non-profit charity affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The trip was funded entirely by private American citizens at no cost to U.S. taxpayers.

The group met with Israeli business leaders to discuss major economic partnerships with the Jewish State such as trade and investments. Kinzinger also spent time visiting Jewish, Christian and Islamic holy sites, Israel's borders with Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, and the security fence in the West Bank. And he got a tour of cooperative U.S.-Israel defense and technology projects, absorption centers for new immigrants, military bases, and hospitals.

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