WASHINGTON: Top Republican US lawmakers will lead more than 50 of their colleagues on two trips to Israel this month that will see them meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leaders.
Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the senior lawmaker on the August 13-21 and 21-28 visits, said he hoped participants would "learn firsthand" the role the staunch US ally plays in the Middle East.
"By visiting Israel in-person, members will better understand the importance of the US-Israel relationship and our role in promoting stability in this critical region," Cantor said in a statement.
Lawmakers on the trip were set to meet with Netanyahu, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad, according to Cantor's office.
They were also to meet with military officials and US diplomats, as well as visit "important historic sites throughout the country," his office said.
"We must always remain committed to our good friends and continue to work to increase understanding around the world of the difficulties that face one of our most important allies on a daily basis," said Representative Kevin McCarthy, the number-three House Republican.
Representative Tom Price, who chairs the House Republican Policy Committee, said the visit "offers an opportunity to further that strategic alliance and create a better understanding of the issues and implications of policies being pursued by our respective governments."
The trips, grouping a total of 56 US lawmakers, were organized by the American Israel Education Foundation, linked to the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee pro-Israel lobbying group.
Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011
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