Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met on Monday with a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives led by Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA).
During the meeting, the Prime Minister said, “We’ve had very close cooperation on all things, including the developing matters in Syria, very close cooperation between our two governments. I think this is important for the stability of the region, for the security of Israel and it’s much appreciated.”
Rep. Wittman said, “We deeply value the relationship between the United States and Israel. With all the challenges in the region, as you spoke about, we are very committed to make sure we are here to understand the challenges and where we can help Israel meet these challenges and make sure that the region operates in the best interests of all.”
The mention of Syria came as Israel is becoming increasingly concerned that Syria’s arsenal of chemical weapons will fall into the hands of terrorist groups such as Hizbullah or into the hands of terrorist groups among the rebels trying to topple President Bashar Al-Assad.
On Sunday the IDF said that the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has been installed in northern Israel, due to the escalating civil war in Syria.
As well, the Haaretz newspaper reported on the weekend that Netanyahu had convened a special discussion on issues of defense, attended by defense officials and some of the members of his Cabinet. The meeting centered on the ongoing civil war in Syria and included a discussion of Syria’s chemical weapons.
A report on Monday indicated that Jordan has begun to beef up its border with Syria, sending hundreds of thousands of troops, artillery and armored vehicles to the north.
The Hashemite Kingdom is coordinating its military moves with the State of Israel, according to the report in Lebanon’s Daily Star.
Netanyahu’s meeting with the House representatives was held a week after he met a delegation of U.S. senators led by Sen. John McCain.
The delegation also included Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Christopher Coons (D-DE), and Christian Brose, a senior advisor on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
During the meeting, Netanyahu told the senators that “history will not forgive those who do not stop Iran’s nuclear program” and added, “Building in Jerusalem is not the problem of the world. A nuclear Iran is the problem of the world.”
