Netanyahu meets with U.S. House Speaker McCarthy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy today at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem.

The two had a private meeting before meeting together with the bipartisan Congressional delegation for a working lunch.

"I'm delighted to welcome to Jerusalem – to the Knesset – an old friend of mine, and an old friend and a trusted friend of the State of Israel: Kevin McCarthy. He has been a champion of the Israeli-American alliance. I think we have no better friend," said Netanyahu.

"You've brought with you a bipartisan delegation to express solidarity with Israel on its 75th anniversary. You're going to be the second speaker who speaks in the Knesset, and you will be welcome with open arms," continued Netanyahu.

"I have to say that the recent statement by 400 members of Congress in support of Israel was tremendous. You know, to get 95% agreement on anything today is no easy matter. And I think it expresses the strength of that alliance and the strength of that support," Netanyahu said. "I want to thank you personally for everything that you've been doing for that. So, welcome to Jerusalem, friend."

McCarthy also delivered remarks thanking Netanyahu.

"Thank you, my friend. It is an honor. As Speaker, this is my first trip overseas as speaker, and it's on purpose that I came to Israel, because there is no greater ally to America than Israel.

"And to be able to say to my longtime friend, the prime minister, just your leadership, your character and your courage – you inspire us in America as well. You're right about our resolution honoring 75 years of Israel. I mean, we're proud of the history that 11 minutes after you became a country, that America recognized you."

[The United States gave de facto recognition to Israel 11 minutes after Ben Gurion proclaimed the new State of Israel. President Truman made his announcement as soon as he was notified.]

"And our bonds have only grown each and every year. And I look to the next 75 years. The world is better when America and Israel are tighter. The world is safer. I think of what we've been able to accomplish.

"Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. There's only two countries in the world that were conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all people are equal. And as we continue to grow that, I think the world will be safer, be stronger and our children will have a much beautiful world in the future."

"So, thank you. I appreciate you."

McCarthy will also address the Knesset plenum later this evening, the second House Speaker to do so following Newt Gingrich in 1998.

McCarthy is leading a bipartisan delegation to Israel to celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary.

McCarthy said in an interview yesterday, that if U.S. President Joe Biden doesn’t invite Netanyahu to Washington, he would extend an invitation to address the House of Representatives.