PM Netanyahu welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Wednesday morning, May 13, with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo a the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Photo by Kobi Gideon/GPO)

The prime minister acknowledged the visit came only a few days after Pompeo’s father, Wayne, had died. “I want to express the condolences of my family to your family and of the people of Israel to you. I have to say that just reading about your father, we recognize the values that he instilled in you that are so evident in everything that you do.”

Netanyahu went on to acknowledge that, while the duration was short, it was significant Pompeo had made a stop in Jerusalem. “I think this is a testament to the strength of our alliance and the strength of President Trump’s commitment to the State of Israel and the strength of your commitment to the State of Israel and our alliance as well,” he said.

The two leaders were expected to confer about several items with the coronavirus challenge to the well being of both nations at the top of that list. “The corona plague is something that challenges the entire world, our two countries and everyone else. We would like to talk about strengthening our cooperation, our partnerships, in battling the coronavirus plague,” Netanyahu added.

The second item the two were scheduled to consider was Iranian aggression and promotion of terror in the area. Netanyahu once again thanked the United States for withdrawing from the Obama administrations’ deal with Iran and continuing its arms embargo against Iran. 

“I want to express our appreciation for that and also discuss how we can continue in our partnership to combat and confront and rollback Iran’s aggression in the Middle East, in Syria and everywhere else.

Netanyahu closed his statement with a reference to the new Israeli government being formed on Thursday and promised to continue to strengthen the “unbreakable bond of values and interests” between the two countries. “It has never been stronger.”