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US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy addressed the Knesset today (Monday), during the opening ceremony of the Knesset’s summer session.
McCarthy is the second House Speaker in history to address the Knesset, and the first since Newt Gingrich in 1998.
The Speaker began his remarks by stating that it is “an honor to join you in the city of Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, Israel’s rebirth is nothing left than a modern miracle, and I thank you for it,” he said.
“If we remain united, then the forces of freedom and democracy will always prevail,” McCarthy declared. “This is the foundation of our special relationship. We are the only two countries in history that were conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all are equal.”
“America is grateful for our friendship with Israel. We are a better nation because of it, and we must never shy away from defending it.
He said that “thanks to the Abraham Accords, coexistence and cooperation are beginning to replace conflict and intolerance.”
The Speaker of the House stated that the US “cannot ignore the threats to peace” from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“Most of the turmoil in this region, of violence and instability, can be traced back to that source, which continues to fund terrorism, arms its proxy militias, and pursues nuclear weapons,” he said.
“To deter Iran’s dangerous behavior, our nations must continue to stand together,” McCarthy added. “As long as I am Speaker, America will continue to support the full funding for security assistance in Israel.”
“Together, we will defeat Iran’s precision-guided missiles, their drones, their terror tunnels and cyber attacks. As we stand shoulder to shoulder against Iran’a regional aggression, we must always remain resolute in our commitment that Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapons,” he declared.
The Speaker of the House warned the Jewish State against allowing unfettered Chinese investment, saying: “The Chinese act like thieves. I strongly encourage Israel to strengthen its oversight of foreign investment, especially Chinese investment.”
According to McCarthy, this group will “continue the strength of our bonds and build mutual understanding as elected representatives, and work better together democracy to democracy.”
“This will be part of a new chapter of US-Israel relations, and I look forward to working close with your Speaker, [Amir] Ohana, in this endeavor.”
