Carter Praises Netanyahu Speech, Supports Secure Borders for Israel

Israel must be guaranteed secure, defensible borders as part of any peace agreement with an independent Palestinian state, and that cannot be achieved under a return to a 1967 border, according to House Republican Conference Secretary John Carter in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a Joint Session of Congress today in the U.S. Capitol.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu made a clear case for why Israel cannot and should not accept 1967 borders as part of a negotiated peace agreement,” says Carter.  “Based on Hamas now being involved in the Palestinian government, Israel has a military necessity to maintain strategic positions to protect itself from an organization that still refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist.”

Carter also praised the Prime Minister’s statements committing Israel to substantial compromises with a legitimate Palestinian government to achieve a peaceful two-state solution.  Netanyahu told Members of Congress that Israel is willing to grant significant land concessions as long as Israel’s peaceful existence is guaranteed in the process.

“We saw and heard a reasonable approach to Middle East peace today,” says Carter.  “It appears that the number one remaining obstacle is Hamas.  If the Palestinian people and government can separate themselves from this destructive organization, I believe they will discover a ready and reliable partner for Palestinian statehood and regional peace in Prime Minister Netanyahu.”