No less than three United States congressional delegations have visited Israel within the last two weeks – two Democrat and one Republican – proving that bipartisan support for Israel is alive and kicking.
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The Republican delegation, which was organized by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, was headed by Congressman Kevin McCarthy, the Republican leader in the House of Representatives.
"I do this trip every two years," he told Israel Hayom. "We have 30 freshman Republican members with us. It is a binding trip. We went to the Knesset. We met with the prime minister [Naftali Bennett], with Bibi [Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu] as well, and with the speaker of the Knesset [Mickey Levy].
"There's no greater relationship than America has with Israel. There are no greater common values, and with that also common enemies. A lot of the discussion was about Iran and the potential of some type of [nuclear] agreement. The 30-member group unanimously and firmly believes that Iran can never have such a deal. Hopefully, we will be able to make sure that never happens."
Q: Since the last time you visited Israel, the state has been through a significant political change, and you mentioned you met both the previous and current leadership. What does this change look like from your perspective?
"One thing that I firmly believe is that the great thing about democracy is that a republic gets to decide in which direction it wishes to go. To have a coalition of eight different parties is pretty difficult but I think he [Bennett] is working hard. The relationship between America and Israel is based on shared values and we want to focus on that."
Q: You have mentioned Iran. In your opinion, would a Republican administration have done things differently with regard to the nuclear talks?
"I would say a Republican administration would never have supported the JCPOA [2015 nuclear agreement] because it allows Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, and we know what the world would look like. I think we were making great headway with the sanctions. We put Iran into a place that changes the course.
"Unfortunately, the new administration has opened it back up. Iran is asking to be taken off terrorist lists. They fund terrorism around the world, they've funded a number of organizations that continue to fight those who believe in democracy. This is why it's so important that the members actually come to Israel to see what is created here: the democracy, the work that the Jews in Israel itself do, the shared values, and the strength so that the next generation can add and exceed it."
According to McCarthy, it was weakness projected by President Joe Biden that led to Russian President Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine without batting an eye.
"I don't believe Ukraine would have happened under a Republican administration," he continued. "When Putin took Crimea, Biden was vice president. Both times [annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and incursion of Ukraine] it was a Democrat administration. I think there were a number of mistakes.
"The first one was how America withdrew from Afghanistan, a real sign of weakness. And then to allow Putin to have a pipeline while at the same time denying the pipeline in America, I think that was a sign of weakness and that's Putin reacted the way he did. Watching this transpire and lead to Ukraine, it's the actions that were taken months before that allowed that to happen. Any time that we do not show strength, the world becomes less safe. "
Q: Polls predict a Republican victory in the midterm election. How do you think that would affect international policies toward Iran and Russia?
"It will affect a lot of policies. The first policy would be in America. In America crime is on the rise, inflation is rising, we have an insecure border. The number one thing we would first do is make sure our community is safe and secure. We'd make sure to stop this runaway spending that is fueling inflation and prices rising for all Americans.
"We would secure our borders. We would make sure America is energy independent. If America provided natural gas to Europe, the price of gas would be lower, it would enable economies to work better with less inflation because the manufacturing levels would cost less. Also American natural gas is cleaner than Russian natural gas.
"We would take a very strong stance against Iran so that it never has a nuclear weapon and that would be the voice of the majority in Congress. We would try to make a safer world with a closer relationship with Israel, which is so important. When Israel and America show strength to the world, the world is a safer and more prosperous place."
Q: Do you think Donald Trump should be the next Republican candidate for president?
"If it was just based upon our policies, the election would turn out much different. President Trump has not made that decision yet but the one thing I know is that we have an election coming up right now that President Trump is working hard to make sure we flip the House back, so America will be stronger and the world will be safer.
"Remember North Korea was not testing missiles, Ukraine was not being threatened by Russia, China and Russia were not bound together and Iran wasn't showing that they could build a nuclear weapon. All these things would change."
Interestingly, the character of Frank Underwood in the hit Netflix series "House of Cards" was inspired by McCarthy. He was even accompanied during his duties by actor Kevin Spacey – who played Underwood – as part of preparations for his role.
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Q: Looking back, how do you view the TV series?
"That was a Hollywood production, I was in the majority whip when they made it. I think my contribution was the set. They made the office like mine, the only part that I always tell people - Vote your conscience, vote your district, just don't surprise me [something Frank Underwood says in "House of Cards"]. I know when Republicans take the majority America is stronger."
Of the two other congressional delegations, one was organized by AIPAC and led by Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, who lauded Israel as "the greatest political accomplishment of the 20th century," and the other was organized by J Street strengthened dialogue with settlers in Judea and Samaria under the radar.
Although K Street opposes settlers, it understands that they are here to stay.
As part of a J Street tour on Tuesday, ten members of Congress from the Democratic Party arrived at the Psagot home of Binyamin Regional Council head Yisrael Gantz.
The congressmen, dressed in their best suits, holding a meeting with settlers in the heart of Judea and Samaria was a sight unlike any other, and yet it was not reported extensively in the media.
The representatives know that being photographed alongside a settler, or even mentioning that they met with one, could destroy their political careers.
So they hold the meetings as low profile as possible and recognize settlements while fearing the ire of their constituents. One day, there will be no more hiding. Reality will see to it.
