SCHNEIDER STATEMENT ON NETANYAHU ADDRESS

WASHINGTON - Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Abraham Accords Caucus, released the below statement in response to Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's Joint Address before Congress.

Rep. Schneider attended the address and served as a member of the committee that escorted the Prime Minister onto the House Floor.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered an important speech today emphasizing how vital the strategic U.S. - Israel relationship is and articulating the shared interests and common threats our two nations face, in particular Iran and terrorist interests that it backs. It is more important than ever that we stand together to ensure our mutual security and prosperity. We have no better friend and ally in the Middle East than Israel.

I also appreciated that the Prime Minister shared a framework for a better future for the people of Gaza after Hamas is defeated. The Prime Minister laid out a vision for a post-war Gaza that is run by a Palestinian civilian administration that can lead to a 'future of security, prosperity and peace.' This is a vision I share and one I look forward to working toward as co-chair of the bipartisan Abraham Accords Caucus and its Gaza Working Group.

In my few moments with the Prime Minister before his speech, I reiterated on behalf of the hostage families that we cannot forget the more than 120 people still in Gaza after 292 days, including eight Americans. A deal to free the hostages, stop the fighting and surge aid into Gaza is within reach. I am grateful for the Prime Minister's remarks honoring the hostages who have been freed and calling for the release of those who are remaining. The Prime Minister must now seal the deal and, at last, bring the hostages home."

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