In Address to Israeli Parliament, McCarthy Says Israel Is a ‘Story of Survival’

U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy addresses the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem, Israel, on May 1, 2023. Noam Moskowitz/Knesset Press Office

HAIFA, Israel—U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Monday called Israel a “story of survival against the perils of war and terrorism.”

He spoke at the opening ceremony summer session of the Knesset—the Israeli parliament—to express solidarity with Israel on its 75th anniversary.

It was the second day of his visit to Israel, heading a 16-member bipartisan congressional delegation.

“The U.S.–Israel relationship is as important as ever, and I’m proud to accept [Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana]’s invitation as the 2nd Speaker of the House in history to address the Knesset,” he wrote in a post on Twitter on April 18.

House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) spoke before the Knesset 25 years ago, in May 1998.

McCarthy noted that in spite of the constant threat of terrorism, Israel is a thriving democracy and an innovative economy in the Middle East, ranked as the fourth-performing economy among developing nations.

“The story of Israel is a story of survival against the perils of war and terrorism,” he said, adding that the rebirth of Israel is “nothing less than a modern miracle.”

McCarthy said he is proud that the United States recognized Israel 11 minutes after it declared its independence, being the first country to do so, and that the United States cherishes this unbreakable bond between the two nations.

Israel is a story of pioneers and that it is fulfilling “a sacred promise, inspired by our commitment to freedom, to family, to faith in God,” he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) welcomes U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (C) to the Israeli Knesset, seated beside Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (R), in Jerusalem, Israel, on May 1, 2023. Noam Moskowitz/Knesset Press Office

Iran

Iran poses a threat to both the United States and Israel, said McCarthy.

Iran “wants to entrench missiles in Syria. It empowers the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Lebanon, and it is fueling a brutal civil war in Yemen,” he said adding that it seeks “to encircle Israel with hostile forces.”

Most of the turmoil in the Middle East can be traced back to Iran, McCarthy said, “which continues to fund terrorism, arm its proxy militias, and pursue nuclear weapons,” he said.

The Iranian regime cannot be allowed to succeed, he said, adding that in order to deter the dangerous behaviors of the Iranian regime, the United States and Israel must continue to stand together.

McCarthy said that as long he is Speaker, “America will continue to support full funding for security assistance in Israel,” referring to Iran’s precision-guided missiles, drones, terror tunnels, and cyber attacks.

“We must also remain resolute in our commitment that Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons,” he said.

The first and most urgent challenge is the joint effort of Israel and the United States to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his address to the Knesset.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the U.S. Army held the largest joint military exercise in Israel’s history, and Netanyahu said he wanted to “thank the Biden administration for that,” according to a press statement from a Knesset spokesperson.

“We properly see the threat posed by the fanatic regime in Iran, which threatens not only Israel but also the United States and the entire free world,” Netanyahu said.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said that while there are disagreements with the governing coalition, there is a consensus in Israel about the danger the Iranian regime poses.

“We all agree that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons. We all agree that we must work together with you to make sure that this nightmare does not become a reality,” he said.

U.S. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (L) is seated beside Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (R) at the Israeli Knesset, in Jerusalem, Israel, on May 1, 2023. Noam Moskowitz/Knesset Press Office

Chinese Communist Party

McCarthy said that innovation in the United States and Israel is at risk from a new threat, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“While the CCP may disguise itself as promoters of innovation, in truth, they act like thieves,” he said adding that “We must not allow them to steal our technology.”

The United States is working to protect innovation and the prosperity it brings, McCarthy said.

He referred to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review process.

He said he is glad that Israel has put in place a similar process to review foreign investments, but he strongly encouraged Israel “to further strengthen its oversight of foreign investment—particularly Chinese investment.”

Attacks Against Israel

Prejudice against Israel on the world stage is damaging and destructive, McCarthy said, referring to the U.N. Human Rights Council, which has passed over 90 anti-Israeli resolutions since 2006.

They have “turned a blind eye to true human rights violations by Iran, North Korea, and China,” he said.

Congress will continue to stand with Israel and will increase the pressure on the United Nations to end these “outrageous attacks,” McCarthy said.

At a press conference following his address to the Knesset, McCarthy said he expects “the White House to invite the prime minister over for a meeting, especially with the 75th anniversary,” he said.

In March, Netanyahu rejected pressure from President Joe Biden to halt the judicial reform that has sparked large protests across the country, both in support of the reform and against it.

At the time, when asked whether Biden would be inviting the Israeli prime minister to the White House, Biden replied, “No, not in the near term.”