Veep Meet & Greet: Reuven Rivlin and Benjamin Netanyahu

 

The Vice President met today with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem. The two leaders discussed a number of the regional security challenges facing the Middle East, including in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya. 

The Vice President also praised the security partnership between the United States and Israeli militaries, and pledged the United States continued strong‎ support for Israel's security.

The Vice President also met today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. The two leaders discussed a range of shared security concerns across the region, including the threat of ISIL and other terrorist organizations, the ongoing crisis in Syria, and Iran's destabilizing activities. 

The Vice President reaffirmed the enduring and unshakable U.S. commitment to Israel's security, noting unprecedented levels of security assistance provided by the Obama administration. 

The Vice President and the Prime Minister also discussed opportunities for Israel to strengthen its relationships with its neighbors, including through new energy partnerships. 

Finally, the Vice President and the Prime Minister discussed ongoing violence and tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The Vice President reiterated his condemnation for yesterday's brutal terrorist attacks, including the murder of U.S. citizen, Taylor Force.

The following statement was submitted at 8:10 p.m. 

Meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas 

The Vice President met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas tonight in Ramallah. The two leaders discussed the ongoing violence between Israelis and Palestinians, including the tragic terrorist attack yesterday in Jaffa that killed U.S. citizen Taylor Force, which the Vice President strongly condemned. 

The Vice President reiterated the United States' enduring support for a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and urged all parties to take steps to de-escalate tensions, uphold obligations, and prevent inflammatory rhetoric.

Source: The White House, Office of the Vice President